CAVAN 1-15 DERRY 1-10:In recent years Derry have had the upper hand in the football league against Cavan, with the Breffni county not recording a victory since the mid-1990s. It was a record new manager Mattie Kerrigan was keen to end.
Without the inspirational Dermot McCabe, Cavan went to Celtic Park more in hope than expectation. However, they made their intentions clear from the start as they took the game to Derry, making light of the breeze that aided the home team.
Denied supply of the ball, the Derry attack toiled against a Cavan defence that was superbly marshalled by team captain Anthony Forde at centre back.
Up front the Cavan attack gave the Derry defence the proverbial roasting, all six forwards getting on the scoreboard.
Indeed, but for a great save by Derry goalkeeper McGuckin and some wayward free-taking, Cavan's margin of victory would have been much greater. Kerrigan was suitably pleased with his charges, especially debut defenders Eamonn Reilly and Colm Hannon and the outstanding Forde.He was also pleased with the commitment of his players.
Derry manager Eamonn Coleman was naturally disappointed, but did say that this result would have no bearing on the Ulster championship. However, he was full of praise for Cavan, saying that they were far fitter than Derry and fully deserved their win.
Derry had wind advantage in the opening half; but were only 0-2 to 0-1 ahead midway through the first half. After Cavan took a 0-3 to 0-2 lead, David O'Neill came up from wing back to take a pass from McFlynn and crash the ball to the roof of the net.
That lead did not last long as Cavan responded in kind within minutes; a goal from Jason Reilly helping them to a 1-6 to 0-6 interval lead.
The second period belonged completely to Cavan as they plundered points at will to beat Derry for the first time since their league win at Kingscourt in the mid 1990s. Indeed, Cavan eased up in the closing minutes, their job completed, victory assured.
CAVAN: A Donoghue; E Reilly, T Prior, C Hannon; R Rogers (0-1), A Forde (0-2), J Donnan; C Collins, P McKenna; P Galligan (0-2), P Reilly (0-3), B McCrudden (0-1); L Reilly (0-2), J Reilly (1-1), M Graham (0-3). Subs: G Pierson for McCrudden (64 mins); F O'Reilly for J Reilly (68); M Brides for L Reilly (70).
DERRY: S McGuckin; P Carton, K McCloy, S M Lockhart; D O'Neill (1-0), C McNally, G Coleman; D Heaney, F Doherty; P McFlynn (0-1), P Murphy, F Crossan (0-2); P Bradley (0-3), J McBride (0-1), G Diamond (0-3). Subs: G Doherty for McCloy (18 mins); J Donaghy for Heaney (42); G McGonigle for P Murphy (47).
Referee: B Duff (Kildare).
