Cavan dispose of Roscommon with ease

Cavan 0-14 Roscommon 0-6, Kingspan Breffni Park

Seanie Johnston was impressive for the hosts as Cavan claimed a well-merited NFL Division 3 victory over Roscommon at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Johnston scored five of Cavan’s first half points as Tommy Carr’s charges were certainly the more clinical outfit in the opening half - they held a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead.

The sides were level on three occasions inside the opening 19 minutes, with Johnston accounting for all of Cavan’s first three points, while Roscommon free-taker Senan Kilbride did likewise for the visitors.

Cavan placed huge pressure on the Roscommon defence, but failed to find a way past Roscommon goalkeeper Geoffrey Claffey who pulled off a fine save midway through the half.

Roscommon’s poor shooting cost them dearly with Fergal O’Donnell’s side amassing eight first half wides, including one from goalkeeper Claffey three minutes into injury-time.

The visitors had a 23-minute spell without scoring in the opening half, and their fortunes failed to improve on the restart as Cavan opened up a 0-8 to 0-4 gap.

Sean Purcell opened Roscommon’s second half account, eight minutes after the restart, but his side were dealt a major blow at that stage following the dismissal of Jonathan Dunning on a straight red card.

Points from Larry and Martin Reilly ensured Cavan opened up a 0-12 to

0-06 lead, and although the Breffni side kicked five second half wides they finished strongly to ensure a comfortable win in the end.