Hurlers make it two wins on the bounce

Lory Meagher Cup round 2

Cavan 2-20

Monaghan 1-14

Kevin Óg Carney at Kingspan Breffni

Two quick-fire first half goals provided the scaffold for Cavan to construct a convincing second round Lory Meagher Cup victory at Kingspan Breffni.

Boasting back-to-back victories over Monaghan in the past year and with the dust of a demolition job last week on Warwickshire still in their nostrils, Cavan comfortably made it two wins from two outings in this year’s championship.

Cavan enjoyed a spring-heeled start to the match and, overall, did the majority of their best work in the first half, at the end of which they led by nine points. The second half saw a more even affair pan out on the scoreboard at least with Monaghan’s 1-5 tally matching Cavan’s eight points.

Ironically, like their hosts, Monaghan were also at their best in the first half; this despite conceding two precious goals.

With their stirring win (2-13 to 0-9) over Leitrim banked from the first round, Monaghan looked confident, composed and crisp from the outset; so much so that they actually led by the odd point in seven after just eight minutes.

However, Cavan were to play a slow-to-the-boil game to perfection and a goal (9) from the in-form Seán Keating and another major from Nicky Kenny two minutes later – after a mighty turnover - catapulted Cavan onto the winning path.

Cavan’s greater threat going forward was conspicuous and despite Monaghan enjoying a fair amount of possession throughout the game, the visitors’ lack of potency in the final third proved to be their ball and chain.

The Oriel County did keep nipping away at Cavan’s heels but they never drew blood ‘till Cavan were sitting pretty on the back of a 12 point lead.

Monaghan used their physicality and hurling nous to good effect though in keeping a superior Cavan side honest with excellent points from the likes James Slevin (20) and Oisin Hagan (24) giving the leaders a reminder of their obligations.

Cavan were suitably up for the match with the likes of Dillon Mulligan epitomising the graft and defiance of an impressive backline while midfield was a hive of activity and in the final third, the blues threatened to score with every attack.

In truth, Cavan forced the pace for the most part of the game and their 2-12 to 0-9 interval lead didn’t flatter them with, once again, Liam O’Brien’s pin-point accuracy from frees key to keeping Monaghan at arms’ length as the heavy going, greasy sod and contrary breeze continually tested the players’ skill levels and discipline.

The game was a tough encounter but never anything less than honest. Monaghan kept plugging away after the interval and a 1-3 tally without reply – incorporating a Shane Slevin goal in the 51st minute – helped cut Cavan’s lead to seven points on the hour mark.

Although Monaghan went onto match their hosts’ total tally in the second half, they never really looked like pulling the fat from the fire and Cavan’s top scorer Liam O’Brien had even the luxury of casually arrowing a penalty (62) over the crossbar with the blues 2-17 1-12 in front.

Cavan got a couple of scares in the long run for home though with Kevin Crawley and James Sleven combining to pave the path for a possible goal in the 64th minute but Shane Briody was on the spot to deny their best effort at finding the net.

Then three minutes later, it took a brave block – at the expense of a ’65 – by Mattie Hynes to prevent a rocket from Niall Garland testing ‘keeper Conor Gallagher’s reflexes.

By then, Cavan were home and hosed.

The Breffni Boys will take a serious step towards booking a semi-final place should they make it a hat-trick of victories by beating Lancashire this coming Saturday at Kingspan Breffni (1pm).

Cavan: Conor Gallagher: Shane Briody, Enda Shalvey, Mattie Hynes; Dylan Mulligan, Stephen Sheridan, Diarmaid Carney; Jack McGuinness (0-1), Canice Maher; Liam O’Brien (0-11, 9f), Colum Sheanon (0-1), Thomas Leonard; Nicky Kenny (1-2), Seán Keating (1-4), Jack Barry.

Subs; Eamon Óg McAllister for T Leonard (46); Daniel Martin for E Shalvey (49); Philip Brady (0-1) for S Keating (54); Cillian Sheanon for J McGuinness (54); Rian Delaney for J Barry (60).

Monaghan: Hugh Byrne; Jack Guinan, Aaron Kenny, James Brady; Conor Boyle, Kevin Crawley, Declan Crowe; James Slevin (0-2), Shane Slevin (1-0); Emmet Walsh, Niall Garland (0-3), Leo Moloney (0-6, 3f); Rowan McMahon, Oisin Hagan (0-3), Pauric Malone.

Subs; Michael Lyons for C Boyle (35); Padraig MacGahan for E Walsh (63).