Hurlers on cusp of league semi after comeback win over Armagh

National Hurling League Division 3A

Cavan 2-13

Armagh 0-16

A tale of the unexpected unfolded last Saturday at Kingspan Breffni when Cavan’s senior hurlers notched a shock victory over NHL Division 3A opponents Armagh.

Never before in modern-day senior hurling have Cavan overcame the Orchard County but a fired-up and skilful second-half display by Cavan had the effect of adding a deep rich hue of royal blue to the post-game celebrations last weekend.

League tables are seldom found guilty of perjury but even the most optimistic of Cavan hurling fan would surely not have been fooled by the fact that Armagh travelled south-west last Saturday as anything other than warm favourites to add to their solitary league point to date.

Armagh lined up at Breffni as the bottom placed team with Cavan’s two points not entirely reflective of their 2024 innings.

But in edging themselves closer towards a shot at promotion from the division, Ollie Bellew’s (Antrim) charges produced a pulsating second half performance which saw them overhaul a seven point (0-3 to 0-10) half-time deficit before going onto clinch victory with some panache.

Cavan played a poor second fiddle in the opening half with sharp-shooter Alex O'Boyle in inspirational form up front for an Armagh team which would have been fancied to top the table - not prop the table - after three rounds of the competition.

Cavan were hesitant, seemed slightly nervous and just weren’t ‘at it’ in the opening quarter.

In contrast, Armagh opened with a swagger; exhibiting a zip off the sodden turf and an incisiveness that for at least the opening quarter and a bit beyond aped a surgeon’s knife.

It certainly didn’t look too rosy for Cavan as the game crept to its feet. Indeed a Nicky Kenny free (4) was Cavan's solitary score in the opening 21 minutes by which time the Orchard County were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead and on the cusp of Easy Street.

On what was a bitterly cold and damp afternoon, Cavan continued to find their opponents' speed-off-the-mark and greater cohesion difficult to master.

Armagh’s mobility and their first touch left Cavan chasing shadows at times at the business end of the field and the chasm which has traditionally existed between the two counties in hurling looked just primed to be re-inforced.

Cavan carried little threat early on and in one rare threatening attack, a great run by Mattie Hynes was brought to halt by a trio of Armagh defenders descending on the Mullahoran man like bees around a hive.

Eventually great work by Rian Delaney in the 33rd minute paved the way for Kilkenny native Canice Maher to score a great point and raise Cavan hearts.

However, in no time, Armagh were back on the front foot and messrs. O'Boyle and Seán Óg McGuinness both pointed in added-on time to leave the blues trailing by 0-3 to 0-10 at the interval.

With the wind/breeze taking a day off, Cavan began the second half with it all to do in the second half but Armagh were to be left shell-shocked at the end of the day.

The Blues were a transformed team with their improved workrate, concentration levels and confidence springing immediate scores on the restart.

By the three-quarter hour mark, Cavan had cut their deficit to a manageable six points (0-7 to 0-13) and sub Brian Fitzgerald was unlucky to see his goal bound shot skip narrowly wide (46) of the visitors’ far post.

As the final quarter gathered pace, Armagh found themselves increasingly on the ropes and they seemed lost for leaders, heart and a physical edge that could stymie Cavan’s rebellion.

Cavan won more and more dirty ball with a blue shirt inevitably coming out from rucks with the sliotar in his hand and they got a massive breakthrough in the 48th minute when Jack Barry goaled to leave just two points separating the sides.

Less than 90 seconds later a major from Fitzgerald catapulted Cavan into a lead (2-9 to 0-14) and, in truth, it was a lead they never looked like subsequently relinquishing.

To their credit, Armagh pressed hard to the bitter end and Shay Harvey’s classy effort (64) plus another O’Boyle free (66) left the Orchard County searching for a winning goal with the chequered flag in clear view.

However, Cavan battened down the hatches and an impressive solo point by Thomas Leonard and the red carding of Armagh sub Harvey in the run-in made for a malady beyond a cure for the visitors.

Cavan: Niall Clerkin; Shane Briody, Gavin Fitzpatrick, Philip McCabe; Diarmaid Carney, Liam O'Brien (0-5, 3f), Enda Shalvey; John Carney, Canice Maher (0-1); Matthew Hynes, Jack Barry (1-1), Thomas Leonard (0-2); Rian Delaney, Nicky Kenny (0-3, 1f), Jack McGuinness.

Subs; Brian Fitzgerald (1-0) for C Maher (inj, h-t); Mark Moffett for J McGuinness (h-t); Sean Keating (0-1) for R Delaney (49).

Armagh: F Woods; K Laverty, T Nevin, P Lappin; O O'Hare, B Shortt, K McKernan (0-1); A Fox (0-1), P McBride; F Donnelly (0-1), S Renaghan, S Óg McGuinness (0-1); A O'Boyle (0-11, 8f), N Lennon, S Harvey (0-1).

Subs; T O'Hare for N Lennon (51); S McParland for K Laverty (51); J O'Connor for S Óg McGuinness (48); D Ryan for P Lappin (61); C Renehan for P McBride (66).

Ref; P Dunne (Laois)