Sport

Cavan fail to take chances

Westmeath 0-10 Cavan  0-6: HAVING BRIDGED a 35-year gap last month when they defeated Meath, Westmeath again made their mark…

Mon Apr 07 2008 - 01:00

Westmeath 0-10 Cavan  0-6:HAVING BRIDGED a 35-year gap last month when they defeated Meath, Westmeath again made their mark at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday with a rare victory over another of their neighbours, Cavan, in a disappointing game, spoiled by a strong crossfield wind and occasional heavy hail showers.

Cavan men can have only themselves to blame for this setback, which almost certainly confines them to Division Three next year, having hit no less than 18 wides during the game, remarkably shooting 10 of those in the opening half, during which the home team hit none.

The winners were somewhat flattered to go in at the interval level (0-5 apiece) and, despite the introduction of two regular forwards, Denis Glennon and Fergal Wilson, in the first half, they appeared to be in trouble at midfield when their experienced star Martin Flanagan had to leave the pitch just before the break with a foot injury.

On the resumption, however, David Duffy, ably assisted by Donal O'Donoghue, improved in this area, and Westmeath were full value for their four-point win.

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Their vaunted defence did well to shackle Seanie Johnston in the Cavan full-forward line and the visitors again proceeded to shoot dismally, only adding a further point (a fine effort from Ronan Flanagan) during the second half.

Westmeath, who can gain promotion to Division One with an away win over Monaghan in the last series of games, were heavily reliant on a handpassing game in the closing stages but, with Dessie Dolan calling the shots all over the pitch, they never looked likely to be overtaken.

WESTMEATH:G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane; M Ennis (0-2), D Heavin, D Healy; D Duffy, M Flanagan; D Kelly, D Dolan (0-3, 0-2 from frees), D O'Donoghue; A Mangan, T Cleary, D Bannon (0-1). Subs: D Glennon (0-3) for Cleary, F Wilson (0-1, from a free) for Kelly, D Harte for Flanagan, P Tormey for Bannon.

CAVAN:J Reilly; M Hannon, P Reilly, M Brides; J Crowe, A Forde, D Sheridan; D McCabe (0-2, both from frees), J Cunningham; M Reilly, R Flanagan (0-1), M McKeever (0-1); E O'Reilly, S Johnston (0-1, from a free), J O'Reilly (0-1). Subs: C Mackey for E O'Reilly, K Fannin for M Reilly, L Mulvey for J O'Reilly.

Referee:M Hughes (Tyrone)