Gaelic Games

Curtains for Cavan as Roscommon prove too good

John Evans’s side recover from early Martin Reilly goal to win Round 2A Qualifier

Enda Smith scored twice in Roscommon’s Round 2A qualifier win over Cavan. Photograph: Inpho
Enda Smith scored twice in Roscommon’s Round 2A qualifier win over Cavan. Photograph: Inpho
Sat Jul 04 2015 - 19:14

Cavan 1-16 Roscommon 3-17

Roscommon put their provincial championship woes behind them to put hosts Cavan to the sword in their second round All-Ireland SFC Qualifier at Breffni Park.

The Rossies won against a Cavan team reduced to 14 men after Tomas Corr was red-carded before the throw-in at the start of the second half for an apparent off the ball incident moments before the break.

Cavan simply couldn’t cope with the Westerners’ pace and power down the spine of the pitch nor their prowess at the business end of the field.

READ MORE

In ideal playing conditions, the hosts had the perfect start when Martin Reilly slipped the ball under advancing Roscommon ‘keeper Darren O’Malley with just 34 seconds on the clock.

Late-comers suffered a double whammy ‘cause less than two minutes later, good work from late call-up Ultan Harney ended with Cathal Cregg executing a slide-rule shot into the Cavan net.

Points from Gearoid McKiernan , Cian Mackey (free) and Martin Reilly helped Cavan level the tie (1-6 apiece) on the half hour for the fourth time in the opening half.

The home side flattered to deceive though in their bid to claw back their 1-7 to 1-10 half-time deficit and once Enda Smith rattled the Cavan net (43), the final outcome was well flagged.

Things didn’t get any better for the Ulstermen as the long-time leaders comfortably consolidated their advantage with sweeping counter-attacks.

The Connacht side went onto win pulling up with Enda Smith’s palmed goal (71) putting the icing on the cake and leaving Cavan with a winter of discontent ahead of them.

Cavan: R Gallligan; J McLoughlin, J McEnroe, K Brady; N Murray (0-2), Flanagan, D O'Reilly; G McKiernan (0-1), T Corr; C Mackey (0-3, 2f), D Veety, M Reilly (1-3); R Flanagan, M Argue (0-1), N McDermott (0-1).

Subs: T Hayes for N McDermott (inj, 19); C Moynagh for F Flanagan (half-time); B Reilly (0-3 ,2f) for K Brady (49); C Brady (0-1) for D O'Reilly (49); M Dunne (0-1) for R Flanagan (58); P Smith for M Argue (69).

Roscommon: D O'Malley; S McDermott, N Collins, D Murray; N Daly, D Keenan, C Cafferky; I Kilbride, K Higgins; C Daly (0-2), C Cregg (1-1), E Smith (2-1); U Harney (0-3), D Shine (0-3, 2f), C Murtagh (0-2, 1f).

Subs: D Murtagh (0-3) for K Higgins (45); R Stack for I Kilbride (50); D Smith (0-1, f) for C Murtagh (55); B Murtagh for D Shine (61); T Featherston for D Murray (64); C Connolly for C Cregg (65).

Ref: D Gough (Meath)