Reynolds goal proves pivotal

NFL DIVISION THREE Offaly1-16 Cavan0-13OFFALY DEFEATED Cavan by a slightly flattering margin at O'Connor Park yesterday.

In a well contested game that saw the sides level on four occasions it was the home side that finished the stronger, with a goal by substitute John Reynolds immediately following his 56th minute introduction proving the game’s turning point.

Prior to that Offaly saw their 0-12 to 0-8 lead evaporate as a resurgent Cavan side whipped over a quartet of points that failed to bring a response.

The sides were deadlocked three times in the opening eight minutes before Offaly forged ahead to lead by 0-9 to 0-5 at the break.

OFFALY:A Mulhall; J Quinn, C Evans, B Darby; S Lonergan, G Rafferty, M Mitchell (0-1); A McNamee, C McManus (0-4, three frees); C Carroll, K Slattery, N Smith; T Deehan (0-1), N Darby (0-6, two frees), N McNamee (0-4, one pen). Subs:S Sullivan for Evans (34 mins, yellow), S Ryan for Carroll (41 mins), J Reynolds (1-0) for A McNamee (56 mins).

CAVAN:J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, K. Fannin; J McCutcheon (0-1), R Flanagan (0-1), R Dunne; L Mulvey (0-1), C Galligan; M Reilly (0-1, 45), M Lyng, E O'Reilly (0-1), L Reilly (0-4, one free), N Walsh , S Johnston (0-4, two frees). Subs:D Givney for E O'Reilly (49 mins), E Keating for M Reilly (59 mins), J O'Reilly for L Reilly (63 mins).

Referee:S Doyle (Wexford).