Donegal Minors make it two from two with victory over Cavan at Breffni Park

Donegal 2-13 Cavan 0-13
The Donegal minors continued their winning way with a well-earned 2-13 to 0-13 point victory over Cavan at Breffni Park in the second round of the Ulster Minor League last night. 

Following on from their 10-point victory over Fermanagh last week, Donegal made it the second win in-a-row against a hardworking Breffni side. 

Despite leading by seven points at the break, Cavan came back strong in the second half but the likes of Conor McCahill, Pauric Devine and Eoghan Gallagher kept the scoreboard ticking for the away side so they could see out a two-goal win.  

The home side took the lead early doors with a well-worked point from Joshua Shehu, but Donegal immediately responded two minutes later when Tomás Carr, the younger brother of the two Carrs, rattled the net to settle Barry Ward’s side and ease them into the game. 

Cavan stayed within touching distance of their opponents with Seanan Macken bringing the game back to within one point, but Donegal would break strong in the second quarter with Max Campbell, Tomas Carr and his Four Masters teammate McCahill all landing the ball between the posts with dangerous attacks. 

Cavan’s Shane McCabe and Shehu would narrow the gap once more with some long-ranged scores, but Donegal would soon break the shackles again when McCahill opted for a long-ranged shot only for it to fall into the back of the Cavan net to the embarrassment of goalkeeper Cian McConnell. 

Further points from Eoghan Ban McNeilis and Turlough Carr would add further suffering to the Cavan team as the players marched to the dressing rooms at the break with Donegal leading 2-6 to 0-5 points and in a much happier position from where they were last week against Fermanagh. 

Cavan would find a resurgence in the second half with Fiachra Brady, Odhran Madden and Tiernan Flood all landing points from distance. 

But like he did last week against in MacCumhaill Park, McCahill would lead the way with three points and was unlucky not to have a second goal when he skied the ball over the crossbar after goalkeeper McConnell pulled off a brilliant save one-on-one with the full-forward. 

Seanan Macken tried to cut the gap when he opted for a goal on the left side of the posts but blasted the ball too high and had to settle for a point. 

Cavan would nail the last two points to cut the gap back to two goals but the Donegal defence remained solid as they ran out worthy winners to make it two wins from two for Ward’s side. 

Scorers – Donegal: Conor McCahill 1-5 (3 fs); Tomas Carr 1-2; Turlough Carr 0-2 (1f); Max Campbell, Pauric Devine, Eoghan Gallagher, Eoghan Ban McNeilis 0-1 each. Cavan: Joshua Shehu 0-5 (1f); Odhran Madden 0-3 (1f); Senan Macken 0-2; Fiachra Brady, Tiernan Flood, Shane McCabe 0-1 each. 

Donegal: Padraig McBride; Elliot Friel, Fionn McGinty, Cathal McGee; Cathal O Gallachoir, Pauric Devine, Max Campbell; Calvin McLaughlin, Luke McGuinness; Turlough Carr, Tomas Carr, Eoghan Ban McNelis; Eoghan Gallagher, Sean O'Carroll, Conor McCahill. Subs: Alex Cunnea for McGuinness (27 mins), Shane McCormack for Campbell (Half-time); Colm Doherty for Gallagher (57 mins) Gavin Sweeney and Christian Ward for Devine and Carr (both 62 mins) 

Cavan: Cian McConnell; Cian McCrystal, Oisin Maguire, Conor Doyle; Freddie McGuigan, Fiachra Brady, Senan Macken; Arijus Metlovas, Tadhh Sheils; Jamie Clarke, Joshua Shehu, Odhran Madden; Nathan Quigley, Ultan O'Reilly, Shane McCabe. Subs: Tiarnan Flood for O'Reilly (37 mins); Faolán Graham for Shields (45 mins); Lee Browne for McCabe (48 mins); Charlie Fallon for Metlovas (55 mins).