Cavan 2-16
Armagh 0-14
CAVAN SENT OUT a warning sign to Tyrone after they sealed their safe passage into the last four of Ulster.
The Breffni men will take on Mickey Harte’s side for a place in the Ulster decider. It will be no walk in the park for Tyrone, because Cavan gave an impressive display and they look brimming with confidence.
It must be stated that Armagh provided little resistance here. The speed and intelligence of Cavan’s play meant they looked every bit the superior side.
Terry Hyland’s men wrapped up an eight point victory and although it wasn’t quiet as emphatic as the 17-point trimming they dished out to Armagh in the league, it was every bit as convincing.
Armagh will point to a missed spot-kick by Stefan Campbell in the second-half as the game’s turning point. Raymond Galligan got down well to deny Campbell’s weak attempt as Armagh turned down the chance to cut their deficit to three.
Cavan counter-attacked at pace and Seanie Johnston, who kicked seven points in an impressive display, curled over the bar at the far end.
Dara McVeety’s 25th minute goal handed the hosts a 1-9 to 0-7 lead at the break. Ten minutes into the second-half Cian Mackey was brought down in the area and Martin Reilly dispatched the penalty.
Johnston, who came up against his former boss at Kildare Kieran McGeeney, was one of eight Cavan scorers. Their transition from defence to attack was impressive.
At the other end Armagh faltered at times and only one player outside of Campbell and Tony Kernan, their best two players, managed to score.
Armagh started the game in a bright fashion, scoring three of the opening four points. But Johnston curled over three scores as Cavan hit the visitors for five unanswered points.
Reilly supplied McVeety for the game’s opening goal, with Cavan opening up a seven point lead. Tony Kernan and Ethan Rafferty reduced the deficit to five points at the break, but Reilly’s penalty on 44 minutes made it 2-11 to 0-9.
Armagh’s goose looked cooked, but they earned a shot at reprieve when Killian Clarke fouled Campbell for a penalty. Campbell’s tame kick was denied by Galligan, and Jonhston put them 2-13 to 0-12 up on a quick breakaway.
With that went Armagh’s hope and they looked like a beaten team during the the final stages.
Cavan scorers: S Johnston 0-7; G McKiernan 0-3; D McVeety 1-1; M Reilly 1-0; J Brady 0-2; R Galligan 0-1; D Givney 0-1; C Moynagh 0-1
Armagh scorers: S Campbell 0-7; E Rafferty 0-5; T Kernan 0-2.
Cavan
1. Raymond Galligan
2. Padraig Faulkner
3. Killian Clarke
4. Rory Dunne
5. Feargal Flanagan
6. Conor Moynagh
7. Niall Murray
8. Tomas Corr
9. Liam Buchanan
10. Dara McVeety
11. Gearoid McKiernan
12. Martin Reilly
13. David Givney
14. Michael Argue
15. Sean Johnston
Subs: Ciarán Brady for Murray, 46 mins; Eugene Keating for Argue, 51 mins; Jack Brady (0-2) for Keating (black card), 53 mins; Killian Brady for Faulkner, 65 mins; Gerard Smith for Johnston, 66 mins; Liam Buchanan for McKiernan, 70 mins.
Armagh
1. Paul Courtney
2. James Morgan
3. Charlie Vernon
4. Mark Shields
5. Andy Mallon
6. Aidan Forker
7. Ciarán McKeever
8. Brendan Donaghy
9. Ethan Rafferty
10. Rory Grugan
11. Tony Kernan
12. Ciaron O’Hanlon
13. Colm Watters
14. Stefan Campbell
15. Gavin McParland
Subs: Aaron Findon for O’Hanlon, 26 mins; Micael McKenna for Watters, 28 mins; Jemar Hall for McParland, half-time; Sean Connell for Vernon, 39 mins; Joe McElroy for Rafferty, 45 mins; Shea Heffron for McElroy (black card), 62 mins.
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