By Eugene kyne

IN a game that looked at the half like it was going to be a tough battle all the way to the end, Cavan blew the cover of the pot with a bombardment of goals in a one sided second half that could not have been predicted at the break.

Sligo had dominated the first half everywhere except on the scoreboard and were impressive on their debut at Senior A, but the wheels came off for the last 28 minutes when they were outscored 4-05 to 1-0 after a penalty put the sides level to begin the half. Cavan are to be commended for the tenacity, and they showed their scoring weapons as the game wore on with Declan Fitzpatrick the scorer-in-chief, with Sean Collins an able assistant.

The first point of the new season in New York had to be scored by someone and Glenamaddy , Co. Galway native Michael “Turla” Keaveney took the honors in 2007 when after good work by Brian Newman and Fergal Shannon he slotted over from 25 yards out. Newman immediately followed him into the record books and we were off and running on another year.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Sligo put a trifecta of scores together, three frees from Enda Henry in the space of four minutes as Sam Yore was dominating midfield, and the inside forwards were showing well for the pass. Henry added his fourth as Sligo started their return season in the top flight in spectacular form after annexing the Senior B title last year.

The advantage could have been much more when Mike Creegan burst in on goal after a three player move that involved Yore and Kevin Heggerty, but Kevin Shalvey in the Cavan goal pulled of a breath-taking save diving full length to rescue Cavan. Sligo had some missed chances before finally Michael Smith stormed forward to help out in attack and chipped over a clever point from the left wing.

Fitzpatrick and Henry swapped scores before Keaveney had a point after Newman had a goal chance. The sides were level at five when Henry again had a free his sixth of the half when Creegan was fouled, but with the half approaching the luck changed completely for the Yeats men.

The free by Henry was followed by an end to end move by Cavan that involved five players, including Brendan Reilly and Newman. It finished with Turla face to face with the Senior B player of the year in 2006, Dermot Fleming.

The keeper made himself big as he dived in front of the wing forward and made a tremendous save. He was judged, however, to have fouled with a foot block, and his effort was in vain as Turla made no mistake from the penalty spot. Cavan added on a point and they had a two point advantage against the run of play at the break.

Two minutes into the second half justice was served when Heggerty was pulled down for a Sligo penalty and Nester Allen tied the game up.

Little did we know that it was the last time that would happen as Cavan rattled of four points without reply, with Newman getting a pair that was book ended by Fitzpatrick and Turla.

Lively for the Breffni boys at this point was sub Brian Dennehy, whose father, a native of Ballymchugh, played for New York in the Gael Linn triumph of 1983.

Sligo were given a lifeline when a speculative drive from Heggerty found its way to the top corner of the net with 15 minutes remaining, but it was to be their last score as Cavan playing with the forces of nature and the local gravitational pull rattled the net three times in the last ten minutes.

Fitzpatrick came alive at this juncture with a brace of goals when he was released by Dennehy and then Newman. Sean Collins also helped himself to his second and also had a point before the end as the game went completely Cavan’s way.

Cavan had Fitzie as man of the match, with Shalvey to be commended for keeping them in the game with his save in the first half. Brendan Reilly, Justin O’Halloran and Michael Smith were a vigilant half back line. Alan Carolan helped swing midfield in the second half; Sean Collins and Turla are superb pick ups for Cavan, with Brian Newman also dangerous.

Sligo will ask what went wrong. Dermot Fleming could not be faulted and the penalty was certainly surprising to say the least. He just spread himself out.

Paddy “Rocks” Brennan and Mickey Feeney were best of the backs. Sam Yore had a tremendous first half and was Sligo’s best performer over the hour, Tony Woods has huge potential beside him, Kevin Heggerty and Enda Henry was best of the forwards. Henry was brilliant when given opportunity from frees.