Cavan 0-12 Galway 0-10
Cavan manger Terry Hyland is refusing to dream of promotion to Division One just yet after his side staged a fine comeback to deny Galway in Salthill.
Trailing by 0-7 to 0-2 at the interval, Cavan made the most of the substantial wind advantage and despite Martin Dunne’s missed first half penalty, Hyland’s side took the victory and moved onto five points in the standings.
“We’d be happy if we can get another point or two and consolidate ourselves in the division because we have been playing in Division Three for so long. It is a bit of a step up in pace for us but it’s all about consolidation,” said Hyland.
Galway manager Kevin Walsh was not too impressed with his team, who only kicked three points in the second half and were guilty of some poor wides, especially from Paul Conroy and Michael Martin.
Danny Cummins was unlucky to see a valid point waved wide in the 55th minute which would have given Galway a two point lead, but he was also guilty of fluffing the Tribesmen’s best goal chance just before half time, which would have buried Cavan.
“Look, who knows (what would have happened)? Cavan were really dominant for the whole second half. Having said that maybe one or two frees were missed in the second half could have kept us ticking over. But the best team won on the day,” said Walsh.
Dunne’s 28th minute penalty was easily saved by Manus Breathnach and after that, Galway went on to kick the last three points of the first half – including Cummins’ shot over the bar.
Both sides employed similar tactics without the ball as numbers flooded back into their own half. And after the restart, with Cian Mackey and Gearoid McKiernan impressing, Cavan picked their way through the Galway defence as Dunne’s five point haul gave them victory.
Galway: M Breathnach; J Duane, F Hanley, C Sweeney; P Varley, G Bradshaw, G O'Donnell; F O' Curraoin, E Tierney; D Comer (0-3, 0-1 free, 0-1 '45), P Conroy (0-2, 0-1 free), S Denvir; M Martin (0-4, 0-4 frees), A Varley, D Cummins (0-1). Subs: E Hoare for A Varley (54 mins), S Walsh for Denvir (61 mins).
Cavan: C Gilsenan; J McLoughlin, R Flanagan, R Dunne; J McEnroe (0-1), F Flanagan, K Brady; T Corr (0-1), G McKiernan (0-1); N McDermott (0-1), D McVeety (0-1), M Reilly (0-1, 0-1 free); C Mackey, C Moynagh, J Brady (0-1).
Subs: M Dunne (0-5, 0-2 frees) for K Brady (23 mins), B Fitzpatrick for J Brady (51 mins), N Murray for R Flanagan (66 mins, BC), C Conroy for Moynagh (70 mins), P Smith for Reilly (70 mins).
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)
