Cavan win with goals against South Down

Cavan 2-14 South Down 1-8

Goals in either half for Cavan secured a NHL Division 4 victory for the hosts at Ballyconnell this afternoon.

Cavan started brighter and held a four-point lead after eight minutes and added a goal four minute later.

In contrast to the hosts efforts, South Down only scored twice in the first 20 minutes through two points from John Brown, both of which came from 65s.

South Down then began their period of ascendancy. Points from John O'Kane and a goal from team captain Dan Morgan gave South Down a one-point lead in the 34th minute.

Two more John Brown Frees and a point from Eoin McGuiness were replied to by two Cavan points, leaving the half-time score - Cavan 1-6 South Down 1-8.

It was Cavan who came out more positively after the break. Within three minutes they were level and they continued to pick off points throughout the second half.

South Down opened and closed their second half scoring in the fourth minute with another Brown 65.

In the final 15 minutes of the game South Down imploded. Brian McAleenan's yellow card for a reckless challenge blotted an otherwise solid performance by the full back-line.

From there, the already poor South Down performance sank yet further.

Players niggled the referee, and some appeared more interested in off-the-ball incidents than playing hurling.

Danny Doran was unfortunate to be red carded for an awkward push on a Cavan defender.

In contrast, Eoin Mcguiness was fortunate to be only shown a yellow carded near the end for one of a series of incidents he had been involved in throughout the match.