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C avan – 2-16 Fermanagh – 0-13

Cavan's Gearóid McKiernan in action against Fermanagh. Photo: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile

Ultan Kelm of Fermanagh in action against James Smith of Cavan during the Tailteann Cup Quarter-Final match between Fermanagh and Cavan at Brewster Park in Enniskillen, Fermanagh. Photo by Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile

ltan Kelm of Fermanagh in action against James Smith of Cavan during the Tailteann Cup Quarter-Final match between Fermanagh and Cavan at Brewster Park in Enniskillen, Fermanagh. Photo by Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile

Cavan eased their way into the last four of the Tailteann Cup with a nine-point win over Fermanagh in Brewster Park yesterday.

T he Breffni men got off to the perfect start when midfielder Thomas Galligan powered forward from the throw-in to blast to the net after only 14 seconds.

Then, after Fermanagh appeared to be getting back into the game, the away side grabbed a second goal through full-back Pádraig Faulkner to go in at the break with a 2-5 to 0-7 advantage. 

The visitors then went on to control matters in the second half as they ran out convincing victors.

Cavan could not have wished for a better opening to the game as Galligan – who was immense throughout for Mickey Graham’s charges – won the throw-in and drove straight through the centre of the Fermanagh defence before planting a shot to the back of the net.

It was all Cavan in the early stages as Fermanagh struggled to get a handle on things. Galligan followed up with a point while Gearóid McKiernan rattled over two points from play to make it 1-3 to 0-0 after only eight minutes. The home side finally got off the mark through Ryan Jones and although Galligan replied for the away side, Fermanagh did start to grow into the encounter.

Seán Quigley popped over two frees while Ryan Jones and James McMahon knocked over points to leave two between the sides, 1-4 to 0-5.

However, Cavan then swooped for their second goal.

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Fermanagh failed to deal with a long ball and Galligan knocked it across the goal for Faulkner to tuck home from close range to put five between the sides.

Again Fermanagh found a response as Darragh McGurn and Quigley tagged on points, but that man Galligan answered with another point.

Cavan were reduced to 14 men when Faulkner was black carded for a trip on Conall Jones.

The Ernemen duly controlled the ball in the latter stages of the half, but they kicked five wides and had another effort drop short and there was still five points in it at half-time.

Cavan extended their lead at the start of the second half as James McLoughlin knocked over a point, while at the other end Fermanagh did have half a goal chance which was blocked by Killian Brady.

As the half progressed Cavan went on to stretch their advantage further, with Paddy Lynch slotting over a free and a point from play, while Conor Brady was also on target.

Fermanagh registered their first score of the half in the 51st minute through a Quigley free, but Cavan were always able to dig deep and find a response to any scores the home side landed.

Galligan rattled over another score while Lynch and McKiernan also chipped in as Cavan moved into a 2-12 to 0-9 lead with 13 minutes left on the clock.

From there Cavan were easily able to see the game out as Cormac O’Reilly, Raymond Galligan and McKiernan all notched points to earn a comfortable victory for the Breffni men.

Scorers – Cavan: T Galligan 1-4; G McKiernan 0-5; P Lynch 0-3 (2f); P Faulkner 1-0; J McLoughlin, R Galligan (‘45), C Brady, C O’Reilly 0-1 each. Fermanagh: S Quigley 0-8 (8f); D McGurn (1f), R Jones 0-2 each; J McMahon 0-1.

Cavan – R Galligan 7; C Madden 8, P Faulkner 8, K Brady 8; J McLoughlin 7, K Clarke 7, C Brady 7; T Galligan 9, J Smith 7; O Kiernan 7, G McKiernan 8, G Smith 7; C Brady 6, P Lynch 6, N Carolan 6. Subs: C O’Reilly 6 for C Brady (h-t), M Reilly 6 for Madden (52), L Fortune 6 for Carolan (60), O Brady 6 for J Smith (65).

Fermanagh – S McNally 7; U Kelm 7, J Cassidy 8, L Flanagan 6; J McMahon 7, R O’Callaghan 7, D McCusker 6; R Jones 7, J McDade 6; J Largo Elis 6, R Lyons 7, A Breen 6; S McGullion 6, D McGurn 6, S Quigley 7. Subs: C Corrigan 6 for McGullion (13), C Jones 6 for McDade (25, blood sub), J Rehill 6 for McCusker (47), R McCaffrey 6 for O’Callaghan (58), O Kelm for Breen (62), G Jones for Lyons (70).

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