Lively Longford spring surprise

CAVAN’S think-tank cleared the decks at the back but it was Longford who held all the aces in this All-Ireland SFC qualifier first round tie at Kingspan/Breffni Park.

Val Andrews and Terry Hyland made five changes in defence on the back of their team’s 1-8 to 2-14 Ulster SFC defeat to Donegal and then subbed John McCutcheon in the 42nd minute for a clean sweep but all to no avail.

The new-look Cavan defence coped admirably in the first half with the wind at their backs but it was a different story on the restart as Longford duo Paul Barden and Brian Kavanagh bagged a goal apiece.

The hosts were a bedraggled, frustrated crew in the final quarter and their woes were completed with the dismissals of sub Gareth Smith (66) and midfielder David Givney (69), each for second yellows.

On a sultry evening, the Blues never warmed to the task despite edging their way, wind-assisted, into a 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead. Eugene Keating led the attack superbly with his four classy first half points serving to mask the tame contribution of the hosts’ talisman Sean Johnston who was expertly marshalled throughout by Dermot Brady.

Longford looked the more threatening in the business end of the field but David Barden let his opponents off the hook in the 21st minute when he shot low and wide when in acres of space.

One minute earlier, Longford put together a four-man move which ended with star man Sean McCormack steering his side into a slightly flattering 0-5 to 0-2 lead.

Cavan had easily their best spell of the game in the second quarter and four points without reply put them in the box seat.

The second-half was a write-off though for Cavan as they failed miserably to consolidate their one point half-time advantage. Cavan’s lethargy saw them pay dearly when Sean McCormack put through Paul Barden for a goal that left Longford ahead (1-10 to 0-8) after 49 minutes.

Longford laboured to land a killer blow though and the otherwise quiet Cavan captain Sean Johnston fired over a trademark point on the turn in the 60th minute to keep his side in the hunt (0-10 to 1-12).

The hosts never looked like winning their game of catch-up though with Longford’s superior running power and physical strength at close quarters defining traits. The final quarter was enveloped in an air of inevitability as Longford eyed the chequered flag with venomous intent.

“Our goals came at the right time for us, gave us a great boost and I’m delighted that we’ve progressed to the next round,” Longford supremo Glenn Ryan enthused. “The lads have shown great application and they’ll continue to improve after getting this win under their belts.”

Scorers for Cavan: E Keating (0-4, one free); S Johnston (0-3, two frees); J McEnroe (0-1); M McKeever (0-1); Michael Brennan (0-1, 45), N McDermott (0-1, free).

Scorers for Longford: S McCormack (0-9, seven frees); P Barden (1-3); B Kavanagh (1-2); B McElvaney (0-1); Colm P Smith (0-1).

Subs for Cavan: G Smith for N Murray (18); R Flanagan for F Flanagan (42); M Brennan for J McCutcheon (42); C Mackey for M Lyng (52).

Subs for Longford: F McGee for D McElligott (47); P Foy for S Mulligan (55); N Mulligan for D Masterson (58); Colm P Smith for N Farrell (61); J Keegan for D Barden (69).

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).