Limerick win as Cavan self-destruct

Limerick 0-11 Cavan 0-7: Limerick notched up their second league victory when defeating Cavan at Kingscourt yesterday.

In a game full of passion the exchanges boiled over on a number of occasions, though referee Shane Farrell from Dublin didn't help the flow of the contest as he awarded 78 frees, issued 10 yellow cards and reduced Cavan to 13 players with some 10 minutes left.

Cavan's midfielder Pearse McKenna was sent off in the 55th minute and left half forward Anthony Forde followed five minutes later.

Limerick enjoyed the benefit of the breeze in a low-scoring first half in which Cavan led by 0-4 to 0-1 by the 25th minute, the scores coming from Larry Reilly, Gerald Pierson (two) and Anthony Forde. Limerick were having problems at midfield because of an injury to Timmy Carroll, who was replaced by John Quane.

Limerick came back strongly towards the end of the half with points from Maurice Horan and Muiris Gavin but Cavan led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

The second half was dominated mostly by Limerick as Cavan lost their grip in midfield, their problems compounded by a leg injury to Dermot McCabe. Thereafter Cavan were forced back on the defensive and Limerick took the initiative.

Gavin levelled the scores four minutes into the second half and while Cavan regained the lead from a Pierson free it was the last time they enjoyed such an advantage.

Once Gavin levelled the scores again, 0-6 each, in the 44th minute, Cavan's hopes were slipping away. Although it took Limerick a further 10 minutes to take what proved to be a lead they would not relinquish, from a Gavin free, Cavan subsequently fell apart as they were eventually reduced to 13 players.

Limerick's numerical advantage was bound to have its effect and with the forwards enjoying a greater sense of freedom they added a further four points to their total.

Cavan's last score and only their second during this later period came from a Pierson free.

Limerick's manager, Liam Kerins, was critical of his team's first-half performance and admitted that at half-time the situation didn't look great.

"Losing two men in the second half made it hard for Cavan but we attacked with greater purpose throughout the second period and I was happy to get a result," said Kerins.

LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, J McCarthy, T Stack; P Browne, S Lucey, D Reidy; J Stokes, T Carroll; S Kelly (0-1), M Gavin (0-6), C Mullane; M Horan (0-3), J Murphy, E Keating (0-1). Subs: J Quane for T Carroll; M O'Brien for S Lucey; M Keane for J Murphy.

CAVAN: E Elliott; S Smith, T Prior, P Brady; K Crotty, T Crowe, E O'Reilly; D McCabe, P McKenna; S Brady, L Reilly (0-1), J Forde (0-1); J Reilly, N Walsh (0-1), G Pierson (0-4). Subs: S Maguire for D McCabe; M Brides for J Reilly; L Mulvey for L Reilly.

Referee: S Farrell (Dublin).