Table-toppers Cavan extend Cork's losing start at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Cavan maintained their grip on top spot in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League with a deserved three-point win away to Cork, writes .
It marks a second loss for the Rebels this spring – both coming in their new Páirc Uí Chaoimh home.
Their four-point half-time lead, eked out against the wind on a potholed pitch, was never closed until injury time as manager Mattie McGleenan left happy to see 10 different players contribute scores.
Two strong scoring bursts were enough for Cavan to hold a 0-9 to 0-5 half-time lead.
Their first, featuring points from Enda Flanagan, Ciaran Brady and a free won and pointed by Caoimhin O’Reilly, in the space of four minutes gave them a two-point lead.
Two good points from Clonakilty’s Sean White levelled matters and Cork briefly led, five points to four, when Mark Collins and Brian O’Driscoll got in on the scoring act.
However, Cavan kicked the final five points of the half. The first four came in quick succession. Deep runs from sweeper Dara McVeety and Brady were at the heart of the action, with the former kicking the leveller, before points from Conor Moynagh, Killian Clarke and an O’Reilly free.
The last score of the half, again set-up by McVeety and converted by O’Reilly, extended the gap to four.
John O'Rourke ended a 23-minute Cork scoring drought in the 45th minute, and added another soon after, but it was all in response to points from Adrian Cole and Flanagan.
Cavan created goal openings but we're happy to take white flags, while Cork couldn't create the chance they needed.
Tomas Clancy’s injury-time point narrowed the deficit to three but it was too late.
S White, J O’Rourke, M Collins, S Sherlock (0-2 each); C O’Neill (‘45), Brian O’Driscoll, T Clancy (0-1 each).
C O’Reilly (0-3, 2 frees); E Flanagan, A Cole (0-2 each); Ciaran Brady, B Magee (free), D McVeety, C Moynagh, K Clarke, G McKiernan, C Mackey (free) (0-1 each).
CORK: A Casey; S Ryan, J O'Sullivan; M McSweeney; K Crowley, Brian O'Driscoll, T Clancy; I Maguire, C O'Hanlon; K Flahive, S White, R Deane; M Hurley, C O'Neill, M Collins.
Subs: M Taylor for O’Driscoll (ht), K O’Driscoll for Ryan (ht), C Kiely for Crowley (ht), J O’Rourke for Hurley (ht), C Dorgan for O’Hanlon (55), S Sherlock for O’Neill (60).
CAVAN: J Farrelly; D Phillips, P Faulkner, J McLoughlin; D McVeety; M Reilly, Ciaran Brady, E Flanagan; B Magee, K Clarke; O Kiernan, C Moynagh, N Clerkin; C O’Reilly, A Cole.
Subs: G McKiernan for Clerkin (ht), S Murray for Moynagh (46), C Mackey for O’Reilly (48), T Galligan for Magee (60), D Brady for Cole (61), Conor Brady for Ciaran Brady (BC, 74).
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath).
In today's other Division 23 matches, Clare defeated Down by 1-12 to 1-10, and Roscommon saw off Louth by 1-21 to 12 points.
