Cavan Take the Spoils

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Irish Voice Sport

Cavan Take the Spoils

April 16, 2008

By Eugene Kyne

Cavan 1-14 Kerry 2-9

THE most exciting game of Sunday’s contests was left for the end of the day, with long time rivals Cavan and Kerry battling down to the wire.

What decided the game was the last 15 minutes when Kerry failed to score and Cavan had five points without reply. With Declan Fitzpatrick, Kevin McGeeney and Paddy Smyth in outstanding form, Cavan pulled out the two point win and set themselves up for the contest against St. Barnabas, with a slot in the playoffs of this competition on the line.

The first half had a real tit for tat feel, with both sides replying to the other’s scoring fortunes throughout the thirty minutes. Ross Donovan had the opening score seconds in, with Smyth replying before the first minute was over.

Fitzpatrick added a brace of scores to nudge Cavan in front, but again Donovan replied to tie it up. He had help from Bingo Driscoll, Dermie Foley and Damien Breen for the second which was a brilliant score.

After Smyth was fouled and slotted the free over, again Donovan was involved in the play for Kerry. A long ball from Breen found Foley and he set for goal.

Brendan Reilly had little choice but pull him to the ground for a penalty and received a yellow for his trouble, but Donavan slotted the resulting kick to the net for a 1-3 to 0-4 lead.

Declan Fitz had another score, but Driscoll added two for Kerry, the second a wonderful score when he dummied his marker and left him for dead.

Kerry’s wave was halted, with determined play from Justin O’Halloran and Alan Carolan. They set up two attacks that resulted in scores.

The first was a point from Joe Shannery, who was having a brilliant battle with Niall Corbett. The second was a poacher’s goal from Smyth after Declan Fitz’s shot came back of the post and Smyth grabbed the chance and rattled the net. Swapped points put Cavan in the dressingroom with the slimmest of leads.

The teams swapped four points to open the final stanza of the afternoon, but Kerry were guilty of a couple of glaring misses. They did jump back into the lead when a long ball from Colm Cronin was flicked to the net by Vinnie Gavin for a two point lead.

It put Cavan on the ropes, and a free from Donovan made it a one goal advantage. There was 15 minutes left on the clock, but a simple free when Smyth was fouled had a huge part in deciding the game.

Kerry lost Cronin in the fallout, and the man advantage had a huge bearing.

Cavan had the final five points of the game as they constantly backed each other as they stormed down the field after stalling Kerry attacks with impressive defensive play.

Carolan, Michael Smyth, and O’Halloran set up their forwards with short hand passes, and indeed it was wingback Eoghan McPartland who led the revival. He chipped over the first score. Declan Fitz also had a point with Kevin McGeeney slotting three over from frees (two) and play. The final two Kerry attacks were stopped by Reilly and Cavan had secured the win.

Cavan had a host of stars. Brendan Reilly, Alan Carolan and Justin O’Halloran were outstanding at the back. Kevin Smyth broke even, with Damien Breen in the center, who may be a viable option for New York in that slot versus Leitrim. Conor Brady also had some very good moments as his partner.

Kevin McGeeney, Declan Fitz and Tomo were brilliant in the attack. Joe Shannery also had some valuable moments.

Kerry had chances to win and will rue the final quarter that fell away. Niall Corbett, Eoin O’Mahoney and Colm Cronin were solid at the back. Breen did well in the center.

Donovan did the bulk of the scoring but had an able assistant in Bingo Driscoll. Dermie Foley was not as active as last week, but it was as much due to a knock he received as well as tight defending.

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