“Ulster Senior Football Championship: Tyrone edges Cavan 1-23 to 3-16 in Extra Time
Not quite a day since Donegal pulled off a shock win at Celtic Park, Cavan nearly followed suit with a spunky reversal. Ultimately though, under the scorching sun at Breffni Park, Tyrone managed to maintain their composure and secure victory by a single point during overtime.
The team headed by Brian Dooher seemed to be at ease with a lead of 1-16 to 1-8, 16 minutes into the latter half, before the home team retaliated fiercely, netting two rapid goals. Tyrone’s half-time lead of 1-10 to 0-4 justified their strategic defence which invited Cavan’s onslaught and capitalised on turnovers.
Despite a hesitant start, Cavan drew first blood with a superb effort from Cian Madden. Yet, the momentum shifted quickly when Tyrone responded in kind with Darren McCurry scoring off the following kick-out. A golden opportunity presented itself to the Red Hands which was swiftly taken by Michael McKernan. Cavan fought back when Oisin Brady and Conor Brady assisted Madden in scoring a splendid goal.
At 1-1 to 0-2, Tyrone regained control, outpacing the hosts with a score of 1-8 to 0-3 till halftime. McKernan then assisted Darragh Canavan in securing a penalty which was successfully converted. Cavan’s game plan seemed dried up as McCurry’s free-kick put visitors in the lead.
Debutant Liam Gray seized on a close-range opportunity and scored after a tremendous effort by Kieran McGeary and Brian Kennedy, solidifying Tyrone’s position. Frequently, Cavan’s offensive, represented by Paddy Lynch and Madden, found themselves misaligned in defence. However, home defenders Luke Fortune, Brian O’Connell, and Killian Brady managed to score three points, each hard-earned.”
Kennedy, both Canavans – Ruairi & Darragh, and Ciaran Daly had all scored before half time, with Darragh Canavan managing two in 60 seconds. By the mid-point, Cavan were relieved to hear the half-time whistle. However, the game took a different turn after the break.
As play resumed, the first score was claimed by McKernan. Cavan responded with scores from Lynch and Oisin Brady. The game continued with each side trading scores from play – the older Canavan and Lynch for one side, and Mattie Donnelly and Gerry Smith for the other. Tyrone, however, took a noticeable lead when they scored three consecutive points, with the Canavans contributing two and Niall Morgan scoring a 50-metre free. It looked like the end was in sight.
But when Padraig Hampsey, having successfully contained Lynch, was sent off on a black card, Cavan’s substitutes stepped up impressively. With the crowd now in full voice, the home team revelled in an intense final quarter.
Padraig Faulkner scored a back-to-back goal to his last game. Following this, Oisin Brady increased the score with a point before Niall Carolan collected at the back post and sent a low shot past Morgan. Brady then delighted the fans by equalising. Both teams scored in the closing stages, but the sealing equaliser was scored by Brían O’Connell, who had also made critical turnovers in addition to his 0-2 score.
In the challenging conditions, the first half of injury time saw two scores, one each from Darragh Canavan and Niall Devlin. Even though Tiarnan Madden responded for Cavan and they pressed hard, Tyrone earned a crucial free from Tiernan Quinn. A similar attempt by Paddy Lynch couldn’t keep the clock at bay and Cavan’s time ran out.
Switches: O Kiernan was swapped out for J Smith at the 33-minute mark, and T Madden (0-2) took his place. L Fortune was replaced by J McLoughlin at half-time. At the 48-minute interval, C Madden was substituted with Cormac O’Reilly. As the match continued, K Brady and N Carolan were replaced by K Clarke (61-minute mark) and C Rehill (78-minute mark) respectively. As the final minutes neared, P Faulkner was switched out for R Donohoe (79 minutes) and then T Hofmann came in for Ciaran Brady (83 minutes).
Tyrone’s team included N Morgan (0-1, free), C Devlin, P Hampsey, M McKernan (0-3), S O’Donnell, M Donnelly (0-1), and N Devlin (0-1). The other players contributing comprised B Kennedy (0-1), A Donaghy, C Daly (0-1), K McGeary, L Gray (1-0), D McCurry (0-4, two frees), D Canavan (0-7, three frees), and R Canavan (0-2).
Following changes were made during the game: B Cullen (0-1) exchanged places with K McGeary (53 minutes), R Canavan was replaced by C McShane (58 minutes), A Donaghy was swapped for J Oguz (60 minutes). As the game advanced, L Gray and B Kennedy were succeeded by M O’Neill (66 minutes) and L McGarrity (70 minutes) respectively. D McCurry and D Canavan made way for T Quinn (0-1, one free) (77minutes) and C Cush (83 minutes). Lastly, N McCarron came in for C Devlin (86 minutes).
Officiated by Referee D Coldrick from Meath.