Irish News Match Report

[The Bottom Brick]

Could anyone post today's irish News report of the Cavan v Derry McKenna Cup match please?

[Gabriel_Hurl]

Breffnimen take points in fine style
Dr McKenna Cup Section B: Derry 0-12 Cavan 0-17
By Paddy Heaney in Celtic Park

New Cavan boss Donal Keoghan began his inter-county management career in style

yesterday when his side travelled to Celtic Park and blew Derry off the pitch.

Played in a downpour from start to finish, the Cavan men made light of the slippery conditions and fired over a whopping 17 points. However, it would be a mistake to attribute Cavan's amazing marksmanship as the sole reason for this surprise result.

Keoghan has set out to restore pride in the famous blue jersey and it was the passion and fervour with which his players showed all over the pitch which made the difference.

The Breffnimen displayed a physicality and tigerish work-rate that hasn't always been a feature of their play in recent years. Derry struggled to cope with Cavan's tackling and continually lost possession as they tried to work the ball out of defence.

Keoghan will be delighted by the manner in which his players has answered his call to arms, and he'll be particularly encouraged by the displays of Michael Cunningham (0-3), Lorcan Mulvey (0-2), and Sean Brady (0-3, one free).

Derry boss Paddy Crozier had a less pleasant day at the office.

With the exception of Michael McGoldrick, few of his new faces made a major impression – and it looks like he'll have to revert to the tried and tested names when the League gets underway next month.

Despite the incessant rain, the Celtic Park surface remained remarkably firm, and the two teams served up an unseasonably high-scoring encounter.

Cavan blasted out of the traps and led 0-9 to 0-4 after just 22 minutes. The visitors were dominating centrefield while the Derry half-back line was being mauled apart, although Aidan McAlynn did manage to win a few breaking balls.

Nevertheless, the Oak Leaf men registered a spirited comeback before the break. Paddy Bradley and Jim Kelly both came to the fore. The stylish Kelly landed two superb scores before Bradley kicked a hat-trick of points in less than five minutes. This left the score 0-10 to 0-9 in Cavan's favour at the break.

Having watched their team haul themselves back into contention, the handful of Derry fans who attended the game had reason to be hopeful at half-time.

But their optimism was short-lived. They watched Andrew McCartney hit the side netting from close range just before a fisted effort bounced narrowly wide.

Cavan were content to take their points. A superb effort by substitute Jason Reilly put them ahead by three after 47 minutes.

Again, Derry responded to the challenge. Strikes from McCartney and Kieran McIver brought the home side to within a point, but that's as close as they got.

Cavan, who looked fitter, and played with much greater cohesion and power, finished the game with a flourish. They blasted over four points without replay, the best of which was another classy effort from the evergreen Jason Reilly.

Cavan's flurry of scores put them 0-17 to 0-12 in front after 64 minutes. Derry tried desperately to get the goal that would enable them to launch a grandstand finish but 'keeper Colm Anderson parried two strong shots from Paddy Bradley and Fergal Doherty.

Jason Reilly also had a chance to hit the net but his placed shot rolled wide and the scoreline remained unchanged during the last eight

minutes of play.



MATCH STATS

Derry: B Gillis; M McGoldrick, K McGuckin capt, J Keenan; P Carton, K McIvor, A McAlynn; Patsy Bradley, J Conway; R Wilkinson,

C Gilligan (0-2, both frees), R Convery; J Kelly

(0-2), Paddy Bradley (0-6, one free),

A McCartney (0-1). Subs: F Doherty for

J Conway (29); E Bradley for R Convery (47);

R McElhone for R Wilkinson (50); K Gallagher for M McGoldrick (62). Yellow cards: P Cartin (63).

Cavan: C Anderson; M Cahill, D Rabbitte,

K Fannin; J Crowe, N Walsh, E Reilly;

D Thomas, D McCabe (0-1); M Cunningham

(0-3), M McKeever (0-1), M Brennan;

C Mackey (0-2), S Brady (0-3, one free),

G Pearson (0-3, all frees). Subs: L Mulvey for D Rabbitte (20); J Reilly for D Thomas (45);

A Reilly for G Pearson (71). Yellow cards:

M Cahill (15); M Brennan (17).

Referee: J White (Donegal)



STAR MAN

Lorcan Mulvey replaced the injured Darren Rabbitte after 22 minutes. He scored two points from play, his first within two minutes of his introduction after a fantastic pass by Michael Brennan. But it was Mulvey's strength a midfield which proved most influential. He disrupted Derry's centrefield partnership by breaking everything that came within his range.

Strong and aggressive, he provided Cavan with a presence a midfield which laid the foundations for their victory.

[The Bottom Brick]

Good man thanks

[Mid Mon]

any chance of getting the reports from the other matches

[never kickt a ball]

There's some on the mckenna cup 2007 thread Mid mon. Though maybe not from the Irish News.