Cavan Book Final Spot

Sunday 25.06.2017

County

Cavan and Down produced a top level contest in Saturday’s Electric Ireland Ulster Minor semi final at The Athletic Grounds before the Breffni men emerged narrow 0-15 to 2-7 winners.

In a low scoring but exciting first half Cavan struggled to find their rhythm. Their chances were not helped when they lost towering midfielder Ronan Patterson to a black card in the sixteenth minute. As Cavan sought to regroup Down dominated the play and goals from Ruairi Mc Crickard and Liam Kerr helped put the Mourne men in the driving seat. Shane Arnett and Conor Clarke’s driving runs created numerous chances for the men in red and black as Cavan failed to capitalise on their possession and found themselves trailing 2-2 to 0-2 with eight first half minutes remaining.

Oisin Pierson and James Smith were the only Cavan men to find the target in that opening twenty plus minutes. However they were given hope just before the break with scores from Patrick Lynch and midfielder Smith again closed the gap to four points.

Cavan were a much improved team after the break with Cian Madden and Philip Rogers impressive on the ball but the star of the second half was big midfielder James Smith who gave an exhibition of high fielding and direct running. His display more than anything else helped turn the game for Cavan and inspired his team mates to run themselves into the ground in search of victory.

Down managed only five second half points with two of those coming in the closing minutes as Cavan hit eleven fine second half scores. Cian Madden and Oisin Pierson hit seven points between them while full forward Patrick Lynch’s five points proved crucial in the outcome of the game.

After drawing level on the fortieth minute Cavan, inspired by midfield colossus Smith, kept Down at arm’s length showing considerable composure particularly in the closing minutes. Pierson, Madden, Lynch and Rogers produced heroics at times as the Breffni Blues deservedly made it through to a clash with Derry in the Ulster final on July 16^th.

Scorers:

Cavan: Patrick Lynch 0-5, Oisin Pierson 0-4, Cian Madden 0-3, James Smith 0-2, Sean Keogan 0-1

Down: Liam Kerr 1-1, Ruairi Mc Crickard 1-0, Conor Mc Crickard 0-3, Declan Mc Clements 0-1, Ruairi Mc Cormack 0-1, Aaron Gribben 0-1