Stoppage time win for Cavan against Armagh

Cavan 1-7 Armagh 0-9

Cavan nicked a stoppage time win over Armagh in the Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup at Breffni Park, when midfielder Nicholas Walsh drilled over a dramatic winner.

Even the deadly finishing of Ronan Clarke, who hit five points, could not save Peter McDonnell’s side, and in the end, it was Cavan star Gerald Pierson’s 1-5 tally which decided the outcome.

Cavan’s well documented attacking problems continued throughout the first half when a somewhat toothless offensive unit failed to trouble an Armagh defence in which Tony McClelland stood out.

Their only scores in the opening 34 minutes came from two Gerald Pierson frees, although Martin Reilly did twice hit the post.

Nevertheless, the Saffrons led up until the 21st minute, when Kevin O’Rourke added to Brian Mallon’s opening point.

Ronan Clarke finished a flowing move involving Shane O’Neill and JP Donnelly with a superb point that gave the Orchard men the lead for the first time 10 minutes before the break.

And while Mallon’s second point eased them two ahead, Armagh also displayed failings in their finishing, with Martin O’Rourke hitting a couple of bad wides.

The Breffni faithful were finally given something to cheer on a miserable evening when Pierson launched a brilliant effort from distance.

Armagh led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the break, but Cavan went back in front when Pierson darted past two defenders to drill home a brilliant goal seven minutes into the second half.

That score gave Tommy Carr’s men the confidence to produce some neat passages of flowing football, but time and again, the finish let them down.

And two long range frees and a couple of trademark points from play, all from Clarke, had Armagh back in front by the 55th minute

But Walsh stole it for Tommy Carr’s side with a long range point in the 72nd minute.