U20s suffer heavy defeat against Donegal

Cavan 0-10
Donegal 2-21

Paul Fitzpatrick
at Celtic Park

The Cavan U20s crashed out at the first hurdle in the first-ever Ulster U20 championships at the hands of an excellent Donegal side this afternoon.

In warm conditions, a slow burner of a first half ignited at the end of the first quarter, with favourites Donegal scorching the earth with some hugely-impressive, smart football.

Led by midfielder Jason McGee and centre-forward Niall O’Donnell, Donegal cut through an over-powered Cavan side at will.

The Breffni boys started well, James Smith driving through and pointing after just 10 seconds but once Niall O’Donnell levelled, the would-be winners didn’t look back.

By half-time, Cavan were losing by 1-10 to 0-4, with Conor Smith, Stephen Smith (free) and Luke Molloy on the mark for the Blues.

The second half was a procession, however. All of the Donegal forwards scored (O’Donnell finished with 1-12) as Cavan fell apart. Conor Smith, Oisin Pierson, Ryan O’Neill, Conor O’Reilly and sub Cian Madden (free) added Cavan’s second half scores.

Cavan’s misery was complete when Gavin Daly was shown a straight red card two minutes after being introduced.

See this week’s print issue for more.

Cavan: Gary O’Rourke, Patrick O’Reilly, Luke Fortune, Finbar McAvinue, Conor O’Reilly (0-1), Conor Brady, Philip Rogers, James Smith (0-1), Conor Rehill, Luke Molloy (0-1), Thomas Edward Donohoe (0-1f), Stephhen Smith (0-1f), Oisin Pierson (0-1), Conor Smith (0-2), Lee Reilly
Subs: Ryan O’Neill (0-1), Cian Madden (0-1f), Gavin Daly, Eoghan Cooney