Conroy ensures Cavan march on

Cavan put their troubles at senior level behind them to advance to an Ulster U21FC semi-final in impressive fashion at Kingspan Breffni Park last night.

The defending champions were spring-heeled in the first 21 minutes and four glorious points from Kevin Tierney helped propel the Blues into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead.

Cavan were held scoreless in the final 10 minutes of the half, with Armagh’s renaissance being marked by smart points from corner-forwards Robbie Tasker and James Donnelly.

Bolstered by the addition of subs Rory Grugan and Ryan Rafferty, Armagh cut Cavan’s lead to 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval.

Chris Conroy then put daylight between the sides with a goal for Cavan on 36 minutes.

Tempers flared in the 47th minute and Armagh’s Aidan Forker received a straight red card. Though Tasker netter shortly after, it was merely academic.

Scorers for Cavan: K Tierney 0-7 (2f), C Conroy 1-0, P Leddy, F Flanagan, J Brady, P P O’Hara 0-1 each.

Scorers for Armagh: R Tasker 1-3 (0-2f), J Donnelly 0-1, A Forker (1f) 0-1 each.

CAVAN: C Gilsenan; J Morris, K Clarke, J McLoughlin; D Sexton, C Moynagh, M Brady; P Leddy, K Brady; J Dillon, B Reilly, F Flanagan; P O’Connor, K Tierney, Jack Brady.

Subs: C Conroy for B Reilly (inj, 4); N O’Donnell for K Brady (45); P King for P Leddy (inj, 49); P P O’Hara for K Tierney (inj, 56); S Cadden for J Dillon (58).

ARMAGH: S O’Reilly; R McCaughley, C Hoey, B Kelly; N Rowland, D McKenna, K Nugent; J Donnelly, P Casey; A Murnin, S Campbell, M McKenna; A Forker,G McPartland, Robbie Tasker.

Subs: R Grugan for G McPartland (27); R Rafferty for S Campbell (27); C McCafferty for K Nugent (35).

Referee: F Cleary (Fermanagh).