Cavan stay firmly on course for step up

NFL Division Two B/Cavan 0-12 Westmeath 0-7: Cavan's decisive win over near neighbours Westmeath at Cusack Park, Mullingar yesterday was overshadowed by the death of a middle-aged Breffni supporter close to the end of the game.

Westmeath now look destined to miss out on a play-off place, while Cavan remain on track to challenge for the top honours.

Cavan were by far the better team over the course of the game and the home side really only threatened during a third quarter revival which saw them string together a series of incisive attacks - though they could still only manage two points and Cavan survived the all-too-brief rally before turning the screw.

Westmeath opened smartly with points from Alan Mangan and Paul Bannon, but midfielder Michael Brennan and Seán Johnston had the visitors on terms by the 12th minute.

Once Finbar O'Reilly put Cavan in front with the first of his three points, they were never headed. While Mangan and Dessie Dolan kept Westmeath in touch, the Breffni men led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.

The home side adopted a more positive outlook on the change of ends, but they shot six costly wides as they fought to overhaul the visitors. Larry Reilly, who had an outstanding game, nudged Cavan further in front, but Dolan and substitute PJ Ward offered the home support some hope with neat points.

Cavan finished well, with substitute Dermot McCabe showing his experience by firing over three insurance points, with Westmeath's only response coming from a Dolan free.

CAVAN: J Reilly; M Hannon, P Reilly, K Fannin; A Gaynor, C Collins, J Jordan; M Brennan (0-1), N Walsh; L Reilly (0-4), S Brady, F O'Reilly (0-3); J O'Reilly, E O'Reilly, S Johnston (0-1). Subs: E O'Reilly for J O'Reilly; D McCabe (0-3) for S Brady; G Pearson for L Reilly; R Flanagan for E O'Reilly.

WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; J Davitt, D O'Donoghue, J Keane; M Ennis, D Healy, D Heavin; D Duffy, D O'Shaughnessy; A Mangan (0-2), G Dolan, G Duffy; P Bannon (0-1), D Glennon, D Dolan (0-3). Subs: G Glennon for J Davitt, S Cleary for D Heavin, PJ Ward (0-1) for G Duffy, J Nugent for P Bannon.

Referee: V Neary (Mayo).