Leinster JFC: Cavan edge into semis
May 26, 2011
Ray Cullivan lets the ball off for Cavan as Longford defender Michael Victory tries to stop him in his tracks during the Leinster Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final at Pearse Park.
Longford 2-6
Cavan booked their place into the last four of the Leinster Junior Football Championship last night with victory over neighbours Longford at Pearse Park.
Cavan, who reached the final of this competition last year, found the better start in the opening exchanges and drew first blood when they bagged their only goal inside the first six minutes. A delightful ball played in by playmaker Michael Lyng was seized upon by Jason O'Reilly and the veteran forward made no mistake in placing his shot to the top corner of the Longford net.
The goal stunned the home side somewhat and delayed them settling into the game, but by the closing stages of the half they had moved into the lead thanks to an Enda Ledwith goal and two frees from marksman James Noonan.
Longford were handed the perfect start to the second-half, when a poor kick-out from Cavan goalkeeper Alan O'Mara fell to Mark McDonnell and the corner-forward was awarded the time and space to register the hosts' second goal.
The visitors responded well, however, as points from O'Reilly, Lyng and Michael Brady earned them parity. The final ten minutes proved to be thrilling stuff, with both sides sharing the lead at different phases but Cavan had the final say and three points in the closing minutes earned them the victory.
Terry Hyland's charges now face Kilkenny, who stunned Wexford with a late Michael Malone goal, in the semi-finals, while the other last four clash sees Dublin and Kildare do battle.
Cavan: Alan O'Mara; Terry Hyland, Patrick Carroll, James McEnroe; Stephen Jordan (0-1), Feargal Flanagan, Michael Brady (0-1); Ray Cullivan, Enda King; Keith Fannin (0-1), Michael Lyng (0-1), Niall Murray (0-2, 2f); Gearoid McKiernan (0-1), Jason O'Reilly (1-2), Anton O'Reilly (0-1). Subs: Brendan Fitzpatrick for E King (38 mins), Cillian Reilly for P Carroll (45 mins), Declan Meehan (0-1) for N Murray (48 mins), Ryan McCormack (0-1) for M Lyng (54 mins).
Longford: James McKenna; James Carroll, Michael Victory, Aaron Quinn; Colm P Smyth, Mark Duffy, Peter Masterson; Ger Dennigan, Johnny Kane; Enda Ledwith (0-1), James Martin (0-1), Diarmuid Cooney; Mark McDonnell (1-0), James Noonan (0-4, 4f), Ciaran Williams. Subs: Barry McKeon (0-1) for D Cooney (45 mins), James McGivney for P Masterson (54 mins).
Ref: Sean Carroll (Westmeath) Tweet
