Meet Skye, Breffni pitch invader and viral sensation

Paul Fitzpatrick

The Anglo-Celt can exclusively reveal the identity of the brazen pitch invader who held up Cavan's Ulster Championship clash with Monaghan on Saturday evening!

The cheeky Skye, a one-year-old Jug (cross between a Jack Russell terrier and a pug) broke on to the pitch midway through the first half of the big match and managed to evade players, stewards and the referee for two minutes as the crowd cheered her on.

After leading would-be catchers on a merry dance, Skye decided enough was enough and trotted off the corner of the pitch in her own good time. The match, which was televised, coincidentally, by Sky, eventually restarted, with a promising Monaghan attack having broken down which meant that for this pesky pooch, it was a case of mission accomplished.

Skye's owner, Leanne Reilly, did not attend the match and only became aware of her pet's endeavours when a neighbour alerted her to Skye's new-found fame.

"We were sent the video of her running the pitch by a neighbour asking if it was Skye," explained Leanne, who lives in Park View, which is in close proximity to the stadium. 

"When we went out to the garden to see if she was there, the gate was open and she was gone. We were shocked that she got down and on to the pitch but definitely laughed it all off when we found her!"

Skye, said Leanne, was buzzing on her return after her brief Ulster Championship debut. The canny canine made her own way home, where she was met with a warm welcome.

"She was so excited when we got her back, I think she quite enjoys the attention. This was the first time she got on a football pitch but I think she was Cavan's little lucky charm," Leanne laughed.

Next up for high-flying Cavan is the Ulster Championship semi-final against Armagh after a very pawsitive performance against their old rivals. For the Farney man, who had a ruff afternoon, sadly the bark door awaits!