Gaelic Games

Cavan enjoy convincing nine-point win over Down

They now move step closer to third title in a row

Cavan's Darragh McVitty comes under pressure from Shay McArdle of Down during the Ulster under-21 football championship semi-final at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photograph: Jonathan Porter/Inpho/Presseye
Cavan's Darragh McVitty comes under pressure from Shay McArdle of Down during the Ulster under-21 football championship semi-final at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photograph: Jonathan Porter/Inpho/Presseye
Thu Apr 04 2013 - 06:00

Cavan 1-12 Down 0-6: Cavan moved a step closer to a third title in-a-row with a convincing nine-point win over Down in the Athletic Grounds last night.

Michael Argue had a fine game in midfield and Cavan’s performance was hallmarked by huge intensity and workrate high up the field which forced Down into a lot of turnovers.

Enda O’Reilly hit three spectacular long-range frees with his left foot to stretch Cavan’s lead to 0-7 to 0-1 before Ryan Johnston scored Down’s only first-half point from play after 22 minutes.

Down badly needed a moment of magic and Niall Madine almost provided it, however his goal-bound shot was saved at point-blank range by Cavan stopper Conor Gilsenan.

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Cavan led by 0-9 to 0-2 at half-time and made another push towards their third final in a row with a goal 30 seconds after the restart by Paul O’Connor.

He collected a long free in and struck the ball high into the roof of the net to put Cavan 10 points clear. Down responded but it was a little too late.

DOWN: M Cunningham; M Hughes, R Lively, D Murtagh; R Johnston (0-1), C McCartan, D O'Hanlon; C Gough, C Maginn; J Johnston, M Bagnall (0-1), S McArdle; N Madine (0-1), D Savage (0-3, 2f), M Monan. Subs: G McGovern for Lively (33mins), P Murdock for Maginn (48mins), D Gilmore for McArdle (53mins), J Flynn for Bagnall (60mins).

CAVAN: C Gilsenan (0-1, a 45); J McLoughlin, K Clarke, C Brady; D McVitty, D Sexton, F Flanagan (0-1); B Sankey, M Argue (0-2); G Smith, C Conroy, T Mooney (0-1); E O'Reilly (0-5, 4f), P O'Connor (1-0), J Brady (0-2, 1f). Subs: J Dillon for O'Connor (48mins), K Duke for Conroy 50mins, P McEvoy for Flanagan (56mins), C Madden for Mooney (58mins), C Moyna for Argue (60). Referee: C O'Hagan (Tyrone).