Gaelic Games

Seán Johnson the star as Cavan claim first win

Meath suffer seven-point defeat at Páirc Tailteann

Sun Feb 28 2016 - 20:34

Meath 1-13 Cavan 1-20

Seán Johnson made the headlines as Cavan picked up their first Division 2 points at Páirc Tailteann. He was having his first start of the season, with Cavan seeking to avoid a third defeat on the trot.

The Cavan Gaels man produced a fine display as his side hit back from an eight-point second-half deficit to have seven to spare at the final whistle. Scorer of six points, Johnson terrorised the Meath defence.

The visitors outscored Meath 1-15 to 0-4 in the second half, and completely over-ran their opponents in the final 15 minutes during which they amassed nine points.

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Meath opened up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead in the early stages. A run from Eamon Wallace ended with the Ratoath man finishing to the net to leave it 1-4 to 0-2 on 22 minutes. Mickey Newman converted three frees as the hosts led at the break.

Seán Tobin increased the lead on the restart but Cavan slowly gained a stranglehold.

Goalkeeper Raymond Galligan converted a long-range free, and when David Givney found the net on 44 minutes it left two points between the teams. Cavan eventually drew level through Conor Moynagh.

The home side regained the lead momentarily, but Johnson levelled and then pointed his side ahead for the first time on 58 minutes. Cavan then pressed home their superiority and Moynagh, Niall Murray and Dara McVeety shot some super points.

CAVAN: R Galligan (0-1, free); P Faulkner, K Clarke, J McLoughlin (0-1); G McKiernan (0-2), C Moynagh (0-2), C Brady; T Corr (0-1), F Flanagan; D McVeety (0-3), D Givney (1-0), M Reilly; C Mackey, M Argue (0-1), S Johnson (0-6 three frees).

Subs: N Murray (0-2) for Flanagan (42 mins), K Brady for Reilly (45 mins), P O'Connor (0-1) for Mackey (56 mins), J Brady for Johnson (68 mins), L Murphy for McLoughlin (70 mins), B Shankey for McKiernan (70 mins).

MEATH: P O'Rourke; B Power, C McGill, D Keogan; D Smyth, P Harnan, M Burke; H Rooney, G Reilly (0-2); E Wallace (1-3), C O'Sullivan, D Tobin (0-1); S Tobin (0-3 two frees), M Newman (0-4 three frees), D Lenihan.

Subs: C Finn for Smyth (8), J O'Reilly for Finn (27), A Tormey for Power (51), M Battersby for O'Sullivan (63).

Referee: R Hickey (Clare)