Cavan 1-13 Sligo 2-9: Martin McElkennon was furious with referee Derek Fahy after Cavan cruised to an easy win over bottom-of-the-table Sligo at Markievicz Park yesterday.
The Cavan boss hit out at the Longford official who showed a straight red card to centre half back and captain Anthony Forde three minutes before half-time. McElkennon said some of the referee's decisions in the second half were "absolutely scandalous and would not be seen in an under-12 match. Referees can make or break a team and our captain's red card has destroyed the player's season."
Cavan opened with points from frees by Seán Johnston, Finbar O'Reilly and Jason O'Reilly before the latter blasted the ball into the Sligo net to put Cavan 1-7 to 0-0 ahead after 19 minutes. Seán Davey opened Sligo's account a minute later but Cavan were well out of sight at 1-11 to 0-4 at half time.
Cavan started the second half with points by Jason O'Reilly and Seán Brady as all six forwards got on the score sheet. A Mark Breheny goal for Sligo after good play by Davey in the 49th minute offered hope but Cavan were never in danger. A goal by Brian Curran in stoppage time put a respectable gloss on matters.
CAVAN: J Reilly; M Hannon, C Collins, P Reilly, A Gaynor (0-1), A Forde, M Brides; M Brennan (0-1), N Walsh; L Reilly (0-2), S Brady (0-1), F O'Reilly (0-2, one free); J O'Reilly (1-2, one free), E O'Reilly (0-4), S Johnston (0-2, one free). Subs: D McCabe for Walsh, D McGlade for Johnston (both half-time); J Jordan for Hannon (42 mins); C Mackey for Brady (61 mins); E King for L Reilly (69 mns).
SLIGO: P Greene; B Kivlehan, N McGuire, C Harrison; J Davey, J Rolston, P McGovern; T Taylor, S Davey (0-4, three frees); K Sweeney, M Breheny (1-4, one free), B Curran (1-0); D McTernan, P Taylor (0-1 free), A Marren. Subs: J McPartland for P Taylor (45 mins); B O'Reilly for Sweeney (57 mins).
Referee: D Fahey (Longford).
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