Graham goal drives Gaels

Cavan SFC final/Cavan Gaels 1-9 Mullahoran 0-7: A goal from Mickey Graham five minutes from the end enabled Cavan Gaels to retain their senior football championship title at Kingspan Breffni Park yesterday.

While Cavan Gaels went into the game as firm favourites, the players on both sides failed to adapt to the wet conditions and it turned into a free-ridden game.

Gaels, who included 10 of the Cavan county panel, struggled to find their rhythm, and with Mullahoran enjoying an equal share of the play, the sides were level at half-time at 0-4 each.

The early stages of the second half were equally competitive with never more than one or two points separating the teams. However, one sensed the Gaels were always liable to get through for the vital goal. It arrived, with the score 0-8 to 0-7, as Micky Graham finished a fine move to the net.

Gaels coach and former Monaghan star Gerry McCarville admitted it was a tough test for his side. The next challenge facing the Cavan champions is an Ulster club tie against Monaghan counterparts Magheracloone Mitchells on November 7th.

Those who made an impact for Cavan Gaels included Mickey Graham, Michael Lyng and Paul O'Donnell in attack and in defence, Karl Crotty, Eamon Reilly and Darren Rabbitte.

Mullahoran, coached by former Dublin player Paul Bealin, lacked cohesion and accuracy. Eddie Reilly, Danny Brady and Philip Brady worked hard in attack; Christy Shiels and Ciarán Briody had good spells at midfield.

CAVAN GAELS: E Elliott; E Reilly, D Rabbitte, S McGlade; K Crotty, G Duffy, N Walsh; E King, C Collins (0-1); M Lynch (0-3), A Forde (0-2), P O'Donnell; M Graham (1-2), C Nelligan (0-1), S Johnston. Subs: D Reilly for N Walsh; T McCormack for S Johnston.

MULLAHORAN: E Brady; Ciaran Shiels, S Smith, P Galligan; Paul Sheridan, P Lynch, F Brady; Christy Shiels, C Briody (0-1); Paul Brady, C Reilly, T Nannery; D Brady (0-3), E Reilly (0-3), Philip Brady. Subs: Patrick Brady for T Nannery; D Sheridan for P Lynch; Paul Sheridan for P Galligan; C Reilly for C Briody.

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Kill).