Sport

Lyng rescues Cavan Gaels

Cavan Gaels 0-9 Four Masters 0-9 Cavan Gaels and Four Masters provided an entertaining Ulster club championship quarter-final…

Mon Nov 03 2003 - 00:00

Cavan Gaels 0-9 Four Masters 0-9 Cavan Gaels and Four Masters provided an entertaining Ulster club championship quarter-final game at Breffni Park yesterday.

The Donegal side looked set for a place in the semi-final when they led by one point with one minute of normal time left. However, the Cavan champions grabbed a lifeline when Michael Lyng converted a free to ensure a replay in Ballybofey on Sunday next.

In a game which was level on six occasions, Cavan Gaels had been fancied to get over this hurdle on the basis of their greater fitness, sharper team work and the fact that the wide pitch would suit their game.

Despite playing against the wind in the first half Four Masters built up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 12 minutes, with Michael Doherty the key player through his conversions from frees.

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Cavan Gaels were strengthened by the number of the county senior panel in their team, including James Doonan, Cathal Collins and Anthony Forde. However, they badly missed the threat in attack of the suspended Mickey Graham.

Gradually Cavan Gaels settled into their rhythm and through the accuracy of Lyng and Forde they got on level terms after 20 minutes.

However, further chances were wasted and the Gaels defence had a lucky escape when a fisted effort by Rory O'Donnell produced a fine save from goalkeeper Eoin Elliott.

Further wasted opportunities by the Cavan Gaels attack allowed Four Masters grab the lead through a Doherty free and the Donegal champions held a 0-5 to 0-4 advantage at half-time.

Cavan Gaels got into their stride early in the second half and were 0-8 to 0-6 ahead after 10 minutes. However, Four Masters stepped up the offensive and they had gained a 0-9 to 0-8 lead with five minutes of normal time left before Lyng shot the equalising score one minute from the end of normal time.

CAVAN GAELS: E Elliott; S McGlade, D Rabbit, E Reilly; K Crotty, G Duffy, P Smith; J Doonan, C Collins (0-1); M Lyng (0-5), A Forde (0-1), E King; T McCormack (0-2), F Brady, P O'Donnell. Subs: A O'Riordan for P O'Donnell; C Nelligan for T McCormack.

FOUR MASTERS: P Durcan; D Cassidy, D Monaghan, S Gillespie; K Clarke, K Lacey, B Dunnion; M Monaghan, B Monaghan (0-1); D McGinty (0-1), J Carr, S Carr; R O'Donnell, C Cassidy, M Doherty (0-6). Subs: C McNulty (0-1) for C Cassidy; P Espey for D McGinty.

Referee: G McCarron (Monaghan).