Match report from Cavan v Dublin Bord Gais Energy NFL Div 2
A Touch of the Blues for Dublin.
Cavan 2-7 Dublin 1-8.
A Dublin team showing nine changes from that which won the Brendan Martin Cup last September came unstuck against a resolute Cavan side at Maghera McFinns GAA Club, Virginia, Co. Cavan today. It had all looked so promising early on as Niamh McEvoy drove on the Jackies from midfield and they had three unanswered points on the scoreboard within seven minutes. Two goal chances went a begging as the Cavan defence scrambled to get to grips with the Dublin attack. Cavan didnt panic but worked steadily on moving the ball downfield to full forward Aishling Doonan. She proved to be a thorn to the Dublin defence throughout and proved a handful for her marker, Sorcha Furlong especially in the first half. Having put her first free wide she composed herself to knock over the second attempt on ten minutes. Aishling scored four of Cavans first half points with three coming from frees.
By the twenty-second minute Cavan were only one point in arrears. Then a fortuitous goal on twenty-four minutes saw the home team take the lead for the first time. An innocuous looking punt towards goal from Aishling Traynor looked to be easy pickings for goalkeeper, Emma Merrigan but the ball slipped from her grasp and into the back of the net for a crucial goal. This gave them a massive boost and they had Dublins defence under pressure from there to the break. Cavan led by 1-5 to 0-5 at half time with sub Roisin O Keeffe scoring a wonderful point on the stroke of half time finishing off a five-player move that started deep in defence. The Cavan midfielders, Rosie Crowe and Donna English played a crucial role in turning the game around for their side and dominated midfield for the final twenty minutes of the half. Pamela Crowe also grew into the game in the first half and with Claire Kearns and Grainne McGlade shutting up shop in defence Dublins attack was running into cul-de-sacs.
Substitutions were the order of the day in the second half as Dublin tried to turn things around. Noelle Healy and Elaine Kelly replaced Amy Connolly and Olivia Leonard. Within one minute the visitors plight worsened as Doonan bundled home a cross at the far post which goalkeeper, Merrigan, managed to keep out at the first attempt. Dublin responded immediately with an Elaine Kelly point. Denise Masterson and Joanne O Sullivan replaced Colleen Barrett and Sandra McEvoy respectively as the Jackies set about retrieving the situation. Despite a sin binning for Denise Masterson for a high lunge after twenty-four minutes Dublin took the game to Cavan and gradually ate away at the home sides lead. Points from Mary Nevin and Elaine Kelly followed by an Amy McGuinness goal brought the teams level with five minutes to go. A kick out that failed to clear the twenty metre line handed Cavan an easy opportunity to regain the lead. Dublin responded again and had two late chances to level matters but Amy McGuinness failed to make them count. Cavan right half-back, Rennie Murphy, grabbed the insurance point deep into injury time which led to joyous scenes at the finish for the home side.
It was a hard but well-earned victory born out of determination and hard graft. Tommy Brown and his management team will not lose too much sleep over this one as many new players were given a chance to show their worth. Fiona Hudson impressed throughout with some good positional play and excellent distribution. She was Dublins Player of the Match on the day. Elaine Kelly made a significant difference when she came on as a sub. Sinead O Mahony was solid throughout at left corner back. Aishling Doonan played a significant part in this victory for the home side. Cavans number ten, Grainne Smith, made a significant contribution to their cause in the second half but the overall Player of the Match has to go to Cavan midfielder, Donna English for an assured and commanding performance ably supported by fellow midfielder, Rosie Crowe.
Referee - Paul Swift, Monaghan.
Cavan - C. Fay, C. Kearns, G. McGlade, R. Murphy, (0-1), P. Crowe, S. Breen, R. Crowe, D. English, G. Smith, A. Traynor, (1-1, 1 free), E. Costin, D. Clerkin, A. Doonan, (1-4, 3 frees), B. Boylan.
Subs - R. O Keeffe, (0-1) for B. Boylan and C. Reilly for E. Costin.
Dublin - E. Merrigan, S. McEvoy, S. Furlong, S. O Mahony, F. Hudson, S. Goldrick, G. Fay, N. McEvoy, (0-1), C. Barrett, A. Connolly, M. Nevin, (0-1), A. McGuinness, (1-3, 2 frees), A. Ring, L. Davey, O. Leonard, (0-1).
Subs - D. Masterson for C. Barrett, E. Kelly (0-2) for O. Leonard, N. Healy for A. Connolly J. O Sullivan for S. McEvoy, S. McGrath for S. O Mahony and S. Woods for M. Nevin.
Siobhan Woods pictured in All Ireland U16 Semi Final 2010 Vrs Tyrone.GAApics.com
Main photo - Fiona Hudson of Dubiln and Fingallians pictured in BGE NFL Div 2 against Waterford.GAApics.com
Pictured above - Colleen Barrett
