Cavan made it two wins from two in the 2017 Bank of Ireland Doctor McKenna Cup campaign with an 11 point win over a youthful Donegal consisting of their under 21 team today in Ballybofey. They won by 2-14 to 1-06 after a fine second half display saw them outscore their opponents by 2-09 to 0-04. Last weekend the newly -promoted division one side saw off the challenge of reigning champions Tyrone with their first win over them in 17 years. The first half was very competitive with the sides level Donegal 1-02 Cavan 0-05 thanks to an Ethan O’Donnell goal.
Cavan started the second half with 3 unanswered points. Donegal fought back but a goal in the 51st minute from second half sub and full back Rory Dunne put the Breffni County ascendancy. They topped off their performance when Paul O’Connor fisted a John Hayes centre in the final moments of the match. In the game Seanie Johnston was the lead scorer for Cavan with four points while Padraig Faulkner scored 0-03
They’ll now face UUJ on Wednesday night in their final group match where a win will see them secure a semi-final spot.
The Cavan manager is Mattie McGleenan and he spoke to Northern Sounds Mattie McGlennan after the game. The former Tyrone player said it was far from easy. Donegal were well set up in first half moved the ball well and caused us lots of bother. In the second half we got to grips with them and showed a bit of pedigree and a bit of metal.
The former Scotstown manager stated that ‘we have to learn how to break down the blanket defence. The more you play it the better you get at it’.
In reviewing the game he noted that the defence scored 1-06 and when asked about his halftime team talk he reflected ‘we didn’t say much at halftime. a lot of the players did the talking. it’s a two way process. We just urged them to play more with their head up.’
He remarked that ‘there is a great competition for places and attitude across the board is fantastic. if you’re playing well it will be hard not to give you the jersey. I’ll have great craic picking the team on Wednesday night’.
He remained optimistic for the season ahead and told Mickey that the Breffini County are taking nothing for granted on Wednesday night as they want to win the game and top the group.
‘We start the league in four weeks’ time against Dublin and one eye is always on that but it will be a real competitive training session on Wednesday night to prepare for it. In four weeks’ time one eye is always on that. We are just in the competition to take part and want to be in the semi-final of the cup’
