Minors sunk by injury time goal

Ulster MFC round 1

Monaghan 1-8

Cavan 1-7

There was heartbreak for Cavan minors in their Ulster Championship clash against Monaghan as they conceded an injury time goal in Clones.

The Breffni boys were in a strong position at half-time as they led by 1-5 to 0-2, the goal coming from Liam Fay just before the break after good work from Conor Casey, but Monaghan rallied well in the second half.

The 63rd minute goal from Stephen Mooney saw Gary Farrelly’s charges crash out and they can consider themselves unfortunate, with a few decisions going against them on the day.

Cavan led from the opening two minutes right through until injury time at the end of the game. Early scores from Cormac Brady, Shane Tynan and Caolan McCabe helped Cavan into a useful lead and a point from play from joint-captain Philip Smyth and a free from Tynan saw them six up at half-time.

However, Stephen Mooney, who finished with 1-7, was keeping the home side in touch with frees. He registered six white flags in the second half, with Tynan (free) and Ryan Brady, with an excellent point, responding for Cavan, who had a ‘goal’ ruled out due to a square ball.

Cavan were still three up deep in injury time but Cremartin man Mooney came up with a free and then the all-important goal to seal the win.

Cavan: Jake Norris, James McBreen, Ryan Brady (0-1), Cormac McKeogh, Sean Óg McGearty, Caolan McCabe (0-1), Alex Sweeney, Caoláin O’Reilly, Philip Smyth (0-1), Turlough Farrelly, Shane Tynan (0-3, 2f), Cormac Brady (0-1), Liam McEntee, Conor Casey, Liam Fay (1-0)

Subs: Darragh Lovett for C O’Reilly (34 mins), Emmanuel Shehu for C Casey (46), Kevin Lovett for S McGearty (51), Evan Brady for L McEntee (53), Mark McDermott for T Farrelly (59)

Monaghan: Daragh Croarkin, Ruairi Treanor, Louis Kelly, Hugh McDonald, Nathan Lavery, Dylan Byrne (0-1), Ethan Graham, Connor Eccles, Tiarnan O’Rourke, James Slevin, Stephen Mooney (1-7, 6f), Diarmuid Marron, Michael Hamill, Dan McCahey, Niall Rice

Subs: Cian Conlon for D McCahey (59 mins), Thomas Keenan for E Graham (60)

See this week’s print edition for full report and reaction.