By Charlie Collins
Cavan 0-12 v 0-13 Donegal
Donegal’s first away game in the National League took them to Kingspan Breffni Park to take on Cavan, who like themselves had started their campaign last week with an impressive away victory over Kildare.
Jim McGuinness rung the changes as Shaun Patton returned from suspension, Oisín Gallen from injury, Eoghan Ban Gallagher started following his return off the bench last week and Stephen McMenamin and Milford’s Rory O Donnell were both included in the starting line-up.
The floodlights were on for the throw-in and a strong breeze blew mostly across the pitch but thankfully the rain had cleared. The other three games in Division Two had been completed before this one began with wins for Armagh, Fermanagh and Louth which meant that the winners of this one would join Armagh at the top of the table on four points going into next week’s free weekend.
The teams shared six points in the opening ten minutes, Patrick McBrearty with two and Oisín Gallen for Donegal, Padraig Faulkner, Paddy Lynch and James Smith for Cavan, 0-03 apiece. Donegal’s Caolan McGonagle was black carded, reported by linesman Barry Cassidy from Derry for an incident involving Cavan’s Dara McVeety but responded well with a super point from Oisín Gallen and they led by one.
After a scoreless period, Ciaran Thompson from play and Oisín Gallen from a long range free added points and the lead was three. Paddy Lynch converted a free but Gallen responded again with another super point and they led by three again, 0-07 to 0-04
Donegal lost Eoghan Ban Gallagher with an injury, Mark Curran came in and Paddy McBrearty added his third point as Donegal led 0-08 to 0-04 at half-time.
After Jamie Brennan had missed a good chance, Cavan kicked two points from Dara McVeety and Paddy Lynch and then CIaran Brady fisted a third to leave just one in it, 0-07 to 0-08.
Back came Donegal with two excellent points from play by Oisín Gallen and Jeaic McKelvey followed by a Patrick McBreaty free put Donegal four ahead again, 0-11 to 0-07. Sub Caoimhin O Reilly kicked two quick points, Jamie Brennan replied but points from Paddy Lynch and James Smith in quick succession left just one between them, 0-12 to 0-11 and set up a grandstand finish.
Oisín Gallen kicked a super free to make it a two point game again, Paddy Lynch replied in the fifth minute of injury time but the final whistle ended a cracker of a game and a important victory for Donegal.
Cavan: Gary O Rourke, Oisin Kiernan, Killian Brady, Jason McLaughlin, James Smith (0-01), Niall Carolan, Padraig Faulkner (0-01), Killian Clarke, Ryan Donohoe, Ciaran Brady, Dara McVeety (0-01), Gerard Smith, Paddy Lynch (0-05), Ryan O Neill, Tiernan Madden. Subs: James Galligan for Donohue (h/t), Ryan Brady and Caoimhin O Reilly (0-02), for O Neill and Madden (52mins), Cormac O Reilly (0-01), for Galligan (65 mins), Cian Madden for Kiernan (70mins).
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Brendan McCole, Domhnall McGiolla Bhride, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Stephen McMenamin, Ciaran Thompson (0-01), Daire O Baoill, Rory O Donnell, Odhran Doherty, Shane O Donnell, Patrick McBrearty (0-04), Oisin Gallen (0-06), Jamie Brennan (0-01). Subs: Mark Curran for Gallagher (34mins), Oisín Caulfield and Micheal Langan for Shane O Donnell and Rory O Donnell (h/t), Jeaic McKelvey (0-01) for Mc Giolla Bhride (41mins), Luke McGlynn for Brennan (70mins).
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary).
