McGirr Cup glory for Kildare against Cavan

Kildare 2-12

Cavan 1-10

Kildare became the first winners of the inaugural Paul McGirr Cup following a five point win over a gallant Cavan side at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, on Saturday afternoon.

Before a very enthusiastic attendance, dominated by Kildare fans, it was Niall Cronin's side, with two second half goals that came out on top in a very open and entertaining game.

It was Cavan who opened the scoring after four minutes their influential full forward, wearing 24, Joshua Shehu, who caused the Kildare defence an amount of trouble throughout the game with his brilliant speed and carrying ability, split the posts.

Kildare quickly responded with Ronan Kelly finding Evan Boyle, the Carbury man finding the range.

Paddy Ryan gave The Lilies the lead inside a minute but Cavan replied through an Odhran Madden free.

Dylan O'Dwyer regained the lead before Cavan carved out a goal opportunity but Jamie Clarke's shot lacked pace and caused Conor McDonnell no trouble.

A foul on Joshua Shehu saw him fire over the resultant free as the teams were level for the third at 0-3 each after just 13 minutes.

A brilliant long range effort from Ruaidhrí Lawlor regained the lead a minute later.

The Kildare defence was working overtime but very effectively as they smothered out another Cavan attack.

Another foul on the influential Shehu saw him convert to level up.

A few minutes and a big break-through for the Cavan men when Ryan Nwaneri, cut in from the left, found Nathan Quigley. The corner forward turned his marker before firing low to the net and for the first time in the game there were three points separating the sides.

Cavan's full back, Conor Doyle, picked up a yellow and Dylan O'Dwyer made no mistake with the free to reduce to head to two on 23 minutes.

Ryan Nwaneri had a shot at goal from distance but this did not trouble Kildare keeper McDonnell.

Kildare were winning a lot of ball around the middle and more importantly picking up a lot of the break ball.

Brian Caffrey gained possession on his own full back line helping out his defence and while he seemed to be grounded there was no sign of a black card, although the Maynooth man did get a free.

Kildare gained possession for a Cavan kick-out, the ball was fed to Austin Donegan and the big Rathangan full forward made no mistake and as half-time approached it was Donegan who again found the range with another long, high effort that found the posts and the sides were level at 0-7 to 1-4 as we reached half-time.

Just before the break a brilliant full-on shoulder saw Cian McKevitt come off best against Jamie Clarke, something we don't seen half enough these days in Gaelic football.

SECOND HALF

Ronan Kelly edged The Lilies ahead with a free on the resumption; Ultan O'Reilly replied a minute later.

Kildare, with their big following on their fee again after Austin Donegan soloed through the Cavan defence before squeezing the ball between the posts.

Cavan, however, hit back with that man Joshua Shehu took on three, if not four, Kildare defenders in another of his brilliant direct runs, before being fouled and Nathan Quigley knocked over the resultant free to make it 0-9 to 1-6 on 38 minutes.

Ruaidhrí Lawlor and a converted free saw the sides deadlocked before Odhran Madden edged the boys in blue and white ahead (after Shehu was again fouled).

However two minutes later and The Lilies opening goal of the game arrived with half-time substitute Harry Donnelly firing low to the net after taking a poss from full back Liam McDonald.

Ollie Deller reduced the gap to one but Finn Dowling came forward from his defensive duties to split the posts; Nathan Quigley replied to leave it Kildare 1-11 Cavan 1-10 with 54 minutes on the clock.

Four minutes later and The Lilies found the Cavan net for the second time in this half; Liam McDonald was heavily involved and his pass to Ronan Kelly saw the Athy man remain cool and calm as he found the corner of the Cavan net to push Kildare four clear.

Ollie Delmer added a point for The Lilies as the final whistle arrived, Kildare lifting the Paul McGirr Cup on a final score line of Kildare 2-12 Cavan 1-10.

A right good game of football, with little negativity, lots of attacking play and in the end it was the two second half goals that proved the difference.

SCORERS

Kildare: Ronan Kelly 1-1, Harry Donnelly 1-0, Austin Donegan 0-3, Dylan O'Dwyer 0-2 (1 free), Ruaidhri Lawlor 0-2, Evan Boyle 0-1, Paddy Ryan 0-1, Finn Dowling 0-1, Ollie Deller 0-1.

Cavan: Nathan Quigley 1-3 (2 frees), Joshua Shehu 0-3 (2 frees), Odhran Madden 0-3 (3 frees), Ultran O'Reilly 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildare: Conor McDonnell (Celbridge); Rian Beagan (Sarsfields), Liam McDonald (Maynooth), Cian Cahill (Eadestown); Paddy Ryan (Maynooth), Finn Dowling (Kilcock), Liam Kenny (Naas); Evan Boyle (Carbury), Ruaidhrí Lawlor (St Laurence's); Cian McKevitt (Naas), Ronan Kelly (Athy), Brian Caffrey (Maynooth); Dylan O’Dwyer (St. Laurence’s), Austin Donegan (Rathangan), Tadhg Donlon (Round Towers). Subs: Harry Donnelly (Ellistown) for Dylan O'Dwyer (half-time); Luke Murray (Celbridge) for Seamus O'Reilly (41 minutes); Ollie Deller (Round Towers) for Cian McKevitt (50 minutes); Peter Fagan (Celbridge) for Liam Kenny (52 minutes); Senan Gallagher (St Laurence's) for Ruaidrí Lawlor (58 minutes).

Cavan: Cian McConnell; Aaron Dowd, Conor Doyle, Senan Macken; Fiachra Brady, Oisín Maguire, Andrew Hill; Jamie Clarke, Thomas Gilsenan; Joshua Shehu, Ryan Nwaneri, Odhran Madden; Nathan Quigley, Finn Crowe, Seamus O'Reilly. Subs: Ultan O'Reilly for Thomas Gilsenan (20 minutes); Freddie McGuigan for Conor Doyle (half-time); Charlie Fallon for Finn Crowe (43 minutes); Shane McCabe for Freddie McGuigan (50 minutes); Tadhg Sheils for Seamus O'Reilly (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Alan Coyne, Westmeath.