Cavan 0-14
Cork 0-11
Denis Hurley reports from Páirc Ui Chaoimh
DIVISION TWO LEADERS Cavan had eleven different scorers as they saw off Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this afternoon.
Leading by 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time after a strong finish to the first half, the Ulster side held their composure in the second half as Cork struggled to find a way through.
Having begun with a loss to Tipperary, the Rebels looked to have got back on track with wins over Down and Louth, but this defeat – their second at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – has dented their promotion hopes.
Cavan were already the only unbeaten side in Division 2 heading into this weekend and with more than half of the campaign played they are in with a very strong shout of an immediate return to Division 1.
There can be no denying the superiority of Mattie McGleenan’s side either, in fact but for poor shooting in the opening quarter the would have been ahead by more than the 0-3 to 0-1 lead they possessed.
Cork looked to have overcome their slow start when they got four of the next five points, Seán White with two while Mark Collins also got one and set up Brian O’Driscoll for a 0-5 to 0-4 lead on 22, but they wouldn’t score again in the half.
Instead, Cavan got on top at midfield and the driving runs of Dara McVeety – nominally corner-forward but floating to good effect – helped them to reflect their dominance on the scoreboard. McVeety, Conor Moynagh, Killian Clarke and Caoimhín O’Reilly (two) all had points for the Breffni County as the half came to a close.
Moynagh could have opened up a seven-point advantage four minutes into the second half but he dragged a goal attempt wide after McVeety had set him up. Adrian Cole did extend the margin to five points and, thereafter, Cork didn’t come within three points until Tomás Clancy scored in injury time.
John O’Rourke – one of four half-time substitutions – did make an impact with two points while another replacement, Stephen Sherlock, got on the scoresheet too, but Cavan were able to augment their tally as and when required.
Scorers for Cavan: Caoimhín O’Reilly 0-3 (0-2 frees), Adrian Cole 0-2, Conor Moynagh, Bryan Magee (free), Killian Clarke, Dara McVeety, Gearóid McKiernan, Cian Mackey (free), Enda Flanagan, Ciarán Brady, Oisín Kiernan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Seán White, Mark Collins, John O’Rourke, Stephen Sherlock 0-2 each, Colm O’Neill (45), Tomás Clancy, Brian O’Driscoll 0-1 each.
Cavan
1. James Farrelly (Kingscourt)
4. David Phillips (Gowna)
3. Pádraig Faulkner (Kingscourt)
26. Jason McLoughlin (Shannon Gaels)
5. Martin Reilly (Killygarry)
6. Ciarán Brady (Arvagh)
21. Enda Flanagan (Castlerahan)
8. Bryan Magee (Cúchulainn)
9. Killian Clarke (Shercock)
15. Niall Clerkin (Shercock)
7. Conor Moynagh (Drumgoon)
12. Oisín Kiernan (Castlerahan)
10. Dara McVeety (Crosserlough)
14. Adrian Cole (Ramor United)
20. Caoimhín O’Reilly (Butlersbridge)
Subs
11. Gearóid McKiernan (Swanlibar) for Clerkin (half-time)
17. Stephen Murray (Cavan Gaels) for Moynagh (46)
13. Cian Mackey (Casterahan) for O’Reilly (49)
25. Thomas Galligan (Lacken) for Magee (60)
22. David Brady (Ballyhaise) for Cole (62)
18. Conor Brady (Gowna) for Ciarán Brady (70, black card)
Cork
1. Anthony Casey (Kiskeam)
2. Sam Ryan (St Finbarr’s)
3. Jamie O’Sullivan (Bishopstown)
4. Micheál McSweeney (Newcestown)
17. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
6. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh)
5. Tomás Clancy (Fermoy)
8. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s)
9. Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig)
10. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
11. Seán White (Clonakilty)
12. Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues)
13. Michael Hurley (Castlehaven)
14. Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
15. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
Subs
20. Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh) for Ryan (half-time)
7. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig) for Crowley (half-time)
18. Matthew Taylor (Mallow) for Brian O’Driscoll (half-time)
23. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers) for Hurley (half-time)
22. Cian Dorgan (Ballincollig) for O’Hanlon (55)
24. Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) for O’Neill (60)
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)
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Ulster have some amount of ballers in their backline stocks. Its crazy a fella as good as Addison is barely missed
Brilliant performance against a strong Cardiff selection. Hopefully the right time to come to the boil. We were trying to play like this at the start of the season and winning but looking sloppy. Then we took a few defeats. But now we are clicking and looking the real deal. Hopefully we’ll be full strength against Toulouse and play like tonight.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: to be fair I thought Cardiff were the better team in the first half but sloppy handling let them down. Ulster got 2 pretty lucky tries and one good one late in the half. Second half was a different story, Ulster looked very solid and controlled the pace.
@Michael Bryson: You have a pretty unique view of the first half. None of the Cardiff fans I know felt so. Ulster’s rush defence destroyed Cardiff’s attack, our forwards broke them down and took the game away from them. It’s a great result, a weaker Blues side beat Leinster.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: not really that unique, from my viewpoint in the stand the consensus was that Cardiff built pressure much better than us in the first half and went through the phases better than we did. Yes our defence was good but they lacked cutting edge which was fortunate and give better teams that much ball they will be out of sight by half time. Just watched the game back and stand by my 1st half assessment.
@Michael Bryson: To be clear I am not belittling the result, great result from a game where I was worried by Cardiffs team sheet before hand. Just a little worried about some of our side to side and kick away tactics in first half. Much better in second half though.
@Michael Bryson: Michael, Ulster play a brand of rugby that involves taking risks in defence and attack. Predictable, risk free rugby won’t cut it if we want to be winning trophies. Ulster put a good Cardiff side under immense pressure and beat them well. These are the nights we should enjoy.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: I never said I didn’t enjoy it and at no point do I say that I disagree with the way we are playing. I am just a little worried about the bigger picture against the bigger teams with regards to control of the game. However as someone who has been a season ticket holder for over 20 years I am just conditioned to be reluctant to get too excited with our chances…#toomayfalsedawns but the sun will rise eventually!
@Michael Bryson: I get what you are saying. But I didnt think Cardiff were the better team in the first half, but they were certainly in it, most stats would have been 50:50, except the scoreline. But it was a very strong Cardiff team, with 13 internationals, it was never going to be all one way or close to it, I still think Ulster were the better side in the first half, but Cardiff had their moments.
Our weakness at the start of the season was dominating games but not being able to turnbthat into points, we dominated Leinster but couldn’t build the scoreboard, and were a score away from defeat, against Ospreys we did lose, Clermont came close. Nearly every game up to Christmas we dominated territory and possession but couldn’t turn that into points, we also tired in the last 15mins, as such we were vulnerable to throwing a game we dominated away. Amost happened against Leinster and Clermot, it did happen against Ospreys. Since christmas I am glad to see we have been much more clinical, and can turn that pressure into points. Its shaping up to be a good season.
That was a very strong Cardiff side with 13 internationals and some very good players, yet Ulster made it look easy. The ones in Ireland camp really showed they should have had more Ireland caps by now, Balacoune, Hume, Timoney all had great games and on the scoresheet also Henderson was very good. Conway has been playing well and has a good all round skill set, but Balacoune has been in better and there isn’t a weakness in his game either, apart from experience, I’m not sure why Balacoune isnt in the right wing. Ulster normally weaken in the last 15, but with the bench last night actually finished stronger. Really dont think Leinster will be looking forward to next weekend, which will be strange for them.
At least get the score right, it was 48 – 12