Promotion hopes still alive after outstanding away win over Rossies

NFL Division 2 round 5

Cavan 0-22

Roscommon 0-20

Paul Fitzpatrick at Dr Hyde Park

Cavan’s promotion dream is still alive after a fourth successive National League victory, this one the most impressive of the quartet, as they came from behind to get the better of bogey team Roscommon in a thrilling contest.

The home side were ahead by two at the midway point after an enjoyable first half. Cavan could well have been in front – they missed two good goal chances in the run-up to half-time and having fallen 0-5 to 0-1 behind early on, were the better side.

The teams, though, were evenly-matched, with the Rossies playing with a slight wind at their backs in the first half, which aided them in firing over a pair of two-pointers while Cavan’s half-time tally consisted entirely of singles.

Roscommon opened the scoring through veteran Enda Smith but Cavan quickly levelled with a left-footed effort from Dara McVeety, a surprise inclusion given his recent injury and a dominant figure for the first 20 minutes before a head injury slowed him down.

Cavan also lost Oisin Brady to what looked like a hamstring injury early on but his replacement, Sean McEvoy, was excellent, as was Cormac O’Reilly in that first half.

Ultan Harney, Cian McKeon – whose direct running caused Cavan problems – and Conor Cox (two-pointer) helped Roscommon into a four-point lead by the eighth minute.

Padraig Faulkner found O’Reilly, who opened his account with a superb strike after a Niall Carolan interception and the Mullahoran man soon added another off the left but a two-point free from Conor Hand – after what looked like a harsh non-call at the other end when Barry Donnelly appeared to be fouled – saw Roscommon led 0-7 to 0-3.

In the following eight minutes, Cavan put together arguably their best run of the season as they landed five points unanswered, several of a real high quality.

Gearoid McKiernan, playing midfield, knocked over a free after a foul on Gerry Smith. Cavan were getting joy running at the home defence and after O’Reilly was fouled, Cian Madden knocked over the free.

McEvoy then landed a brilliant point off the left, burning a defender to make space, and a McKiernan free followed by a another eye-catching O’Reily point, after good work from Carolan and blood sub Ryan O’Neill, made it 0-8 to 0-7 in favour of Cavan after 22 minutes.

But, crucially, Roscommon responded quickly with a double from McKeon.

Then came the first goal chance when Donnelly slalomed through but his shot was wide of the post – although Cavan did grab the equaliser when James Smith thumped over the leveller.

A 45 from the outstanding Conor Hand followed before McKiernan was denied a goal by a spectacular save from Conor Carroll; Ciaráin Murtagh pointed with the final kick of the half to leave it 0-11 to 0-9.

On the resumption, McKiernan kicked a massive free from the right wing, just in from the sideline but Roscommon weren’t rattled, reeling off three in succession from Murtagh and Cox (two frees, both moved forward for Cavan indiscretions).

But Cavan found another gear; McKiernan landed a free, McVeety, now dominant again, a huge two-pointer and then McKiernan a 50-metre free via the upright as Cavan grabbed back the lead.

Hand kicked a super point to tie it with 26 minutes remaining before Cormac O’Reilly intercepted a Roscommon kick-out, drove through and pointed.

Cavan lived dangerously when Roscommon hit the post and the crossbar in one move but they did add a point through sub Diarmuid Murtagh.

Cian Madden was next to register after a big fetch from James Smith, who went off injured late on. A trademark run and point from Enda Smith levelled the match at 0-17 apiece and Davy Burke’s men edged in front with a Diarmuid Murtagh free.

But Cavan came out swinging. McEvoy pointed on the turn with the left after Gerry Smith did well; then, Donnelly sent one over from 45 metres but it only counted for one as a Roscommon player got a hand to it.

The Arva man won a free which Madden converted to make it 0-20 to 0-18 and although Murtagh (free) pulled one back, Cavan closed it out.

A 44-metre point from the excellent McVeety and an outrageous strike from the right wing from a nerveless McEvoy saw Cavan surge three clear and although Murtagh tacked on a free, the hooter sounded and Cavan ran out deserving winners.

Cavan: Gary O’Rourke, Niall Carolan, Brían O’Connell, Cian Reilly, Padraig Faulkner, Ciaran Brady, Luke Fortune, James Smith (0-1), Gerard Smith, Oisin Brady, Barry Donnelly (0-1), Dara McVeety (0-4, 1 2pt), Cian Madden (0-3, 2f), Gearoid McKiernan (0-6, 3f, 1 2ptf), Cormac O’Reilly (0-4)

Subs: Sean McEvoy (0-3) for O Brady (11), Ryan O’Neill for D McVeety (temp, 20, reversed 22), Evan Crowe for L Fortune (49), Thomas Edward Donohoe for C O’Reilly (53), Ryan O’Neill for J Smith (inj, 55)

Roscommon: Conor Carroll, Ruaidhrí Fallon, John McManus, Niall Higgins, Shane Cunnane, David Murray, Robbie Dolan, Enda Smith, Eddie Nolan, Ben O’Carroll, Ultan Harney, Conor Hand, Ciaráin Murtagh, Cian McKeon, Conor Cox

Subs: Shane Killoran for U Harney (9, temp, reversed 19), Colm Neary for R Dolan (30), Diarmuid Murtagh for C Cox, Keith Doyle for U Harney (both 49), Daire Cregg for C McKeon (61), Dylan Ruane for S Cunnane (65)

Ref: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)