Cavan's slide continues following their comprehensive defeat by Laois at Breffni Park. Laois took full advantage of the strong wind in the first-half as they raced to a half-time lead of 1-8 to 0-0 and they successfully contained any hopes of a Cavan recovery in the second half.
Laois were strong and incisive all-through and the final score could have been more embarrassing for Cavan as Laois shot 15 wides.
Declan Rooney and Noel Garavan played their part in winning the midfield battle and this allowed forwards Damien Delaney, David Sweeney and Stephen Kelly to prise open the Cavan defence with considerable ease.
Laois led by 0-8 to 0-0 after 20 minutes and pressed home their advantage with a goal from Declan Rooney coming up to half-time. Trailing by 11 points, Cavan hoped that they could benefit from the elements during the second period and it was five minutes into the second half before they managed their first score from Peter Reilly.
Cavan needed to step up their performance but as frustration crept in, the tackling became over robust and near the end Cavan's Dermot McCabe and Eamon Delaney of Laois were sent to the line.
LAOIS: F Byron; G Ramsbottom, E Delaney, P Conway; D Conroy, K Fitzpatrick, T Kelly;, D Rooney (1-0), N Garavan (0-1); M Lawlor (0-1), H Emerson, D Sweeney (0-3); S Kelly (0-2), D Delaney ([B O]0-3), B McDonald. Subs: P Langton for P Conway, P Dunne for P Langton, J Kealy for D Rooney, C Conway for D Sweeney.
CAVAN: J Reilly; P Kermath, T Farrelly, A Forde; B Lynch, P Shiels, B Morris; P Smith, C Collins; L Reilly (0-3), P Reilly (0-1), E Reilly (0-1); M Graham, D McCabe, F Cahill. Subs: F Hartin for M Graham, M Graham for F Cahill, R Rogers for C Collins, F Reilly for E Reilly. Referee: E Neary (Sligo).
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