New-look Down fail to deliver in opener

New-look Down fail to deliver in opener

7 January 2015

JIM McCorry’s tenure got off to a disappointing start as a new-look Down slumped to a more proficient Cavan offering at Pairc Esler on Sunday.

Despite taking an encouraging 0-4 to 0-1 lead after ten minutes, Down soon became undone as Cavan went in at the break 2-4 to 0-6 ahead.

Cavan further imposed themselves in the second half as they outscored the homesters 0-7 to 1-3 to secure a five point reversal.

Paul Devlin had Down one up after four minutes with a well struck free.

Dara McVeety replied for Cavan before Arthur McConville hooked over.

A set piece from Donal O’Hare followed by nice finish from Gerdie Collins confirmed Down’s early superiority.

The towering pair of McKiernan and Clarke soon got to grips at midfield for the Breffni men and as Cavan pushed forward, Barry Reilly was given the opportunity to convert two frees.

A mighty strike from Chris McKay on 28 minutes briefly resuscitated Down, but two goals in a three minute spell soon quietened them once again.

The first major was a brilliantly struck penalty from Martin Reilly.

The confident attacker tucked the ball neatly into Stephen Kane’s right corner after Darren O’Hagan was penalised for touching the ball on the ground.

Shortly after Cavan pounced on a mistake from Kevin McKernan who gave possession up too easily in his own half. Barry Reilly fed the ball to his namesake Martin who found the net with a deft finish.

A point from open play from Barry Reilly just before the short whistle was the last score of the half.

Paul Devlin’s penalty miss for Down proved to be the first stand out piece of action in the second half.

Devlin’s effort was palmed away by the Cavan ‘keeper in the 42nd minute.

Down seemed to be sapped by this and Cavan progressed to hit five scores in succession with midfielder McKiernan hugely impressive with two seamless minors.

McCorry’s men were looking a bit toothless before Conor Laverty threatened to re-ignite his side with a goal in the 55th minute.

Despite having his first effort repelled, the Kilcoo man picked up the rebound and tucked it away with confidence.

Devlin then pounced from play, but there never looked to be enough in the Red and Black’s arsenal to take anything from the game.

Substitute Cahal Crilly was denied a late goal chance as Cavan held firm to record an impressive opening victory.

The teams exchanged scores on two occasions before the full time whistle as Terry Hyland got his county’s campaign off to the best possible start.

Down now have it all to do when they travel to Clones on Sunday to take on a fancied Monaghan outfit.

Down: S. Kane, D. O’Hagan, L. Howard, G. Collins (0-1), D. Turley, N. Madine, B. McArdle, K. Anderson, C. McKay (0-1), P. Devlin (0-4, 1f, 1 ‘45’), C. Maginn, K. McKernan, C. Laverty (1-1), A. McConville (0-1), D. O’Hare (0-1, f). Subs: C. Crilly for Anderson (34), D. McKay for C. McKay (HT), M. Magee for McConville (46), C. Garvey for Maginn (51), C. McGovern for O’Hare (68).

Cavan: J. Farrelly, J. Hayes, R. Dunne, J. McLoughlin, D. McVeety (0-1), D. O’Reilly, P. Smith, G. McKiernan (0-3), K. Clarke, C. Conroy, B. Reilly (0-3, 2f), M. Reilly (2-1, one pen, 1 ‘45’), R. Flanagan, B. Fitzpatrick, J. Brady (0-2, 1f). Subs: P. Tinnelly for Conroy (15), T. Hayes (0-1) for Fitzpatrick (26), M. McKeever for Tinnelly (45), R. Galligan for Farrelly (57), N. Murray for Smith (63), D. Wright for B. Reilly (67).

Down 1-9

Cavan 2-11

McKENNA CUP