Cavan survive Offaly comeback to book Gerry Reilly Cup final place
Cavan 2-22 Offaly 3-10 (after extra-time)
Cavan needed extra-time to withstand a stirring Offaly comeback and secure their place in the Gerry Reilly Cup final following a gripping semi-final at Millbrook, Oldcastle on Saturday afternoon.
For long stretches, Cavan appeared to have the contest under control. They led by five points at the interval and moved ten clear during the second half, but an Offaly side displaying remarkable resilience dragged itself back into contention through three goals, two of them scored by the outstanding Joe Fury.
Cavan eventually rediscovered their composure in extra-time, with Hugo Morgan’s penalty providing the decisive blow as they advanced to a final meeting with Meath. Offaly will now face Tyrone in the Shield final.
Despite playing into the wind, Cavan established themselves from the throw-in. Their movement and economy in possession allowed them to register the opening four points before Offaly finally opened their account from play.
The crucial score of the first half arrived when Tom Crotty supplied Adam Smith, who made no mistake in finding the Offaly net. That goal gave Cavan a firm grip on proceedings, and they carried a 1-6 to 0-4 advantage into the interval.
With the wind now behind them, Cavan resumed in commanding fashion and reeled off four unanswered points. Offaly desperately needed a response and found it when they were awarded a penalty, which Oliver Goulding confidently converted.
Cavan were not immediately unsettled and continued to add to their tally. At one stage, the Breffni side held a ten-point advantage and appeared bound for a comfortable victory.
Offaly, however, refused to accept that outcome.
A sweeping attacking move was finished emphatically by Fury for Offaly’s second goal, breathing new life into the contest. The same player struck again soon afterwards, and suddenly all the pressure was on Cavan.
With Offaly carrying the momentum, Cavan were forced into survival mode during a frantic conclusion. The Faithful County came close to manufacturing a winning opportunity in the dying moments, but the final whistle sounded with the teams level at Cavan 1-14, Offaly 3-8.
Cavan’s substitutions had a major influence once extra-time commenced. Playing with the wind during the opening period, they regained control and struck six unanswered points to establish a 1-20 to 3-8 advantage at the turnaround.
Offaly again demonstrated their fighting qualities by opening the scoring after the change of ends. They appeared surprisingly comfortable despite facing into the wind and continued to ask serious questions of the Cavan defence.
The decisive moment arrived when Cavan were awarded a penalty and Morgan stepped forward to dispatch it. Even then, Offaly would not yield and were desperately unlucky when another goal attempt struck the post.
That proved to be their final opportunity to transform the contest. Cavan steadied themselves during the closing stages and finished the stronger, eventually emerging with a hard-earned nine-point victory.
The final margin was harsh on an Offaly team whose courage and second-half recovery contributed enormously to a memorable semi-final. Cavan, though, showed their own resilience after being dragged into extra-time and produced their best football when the contest was there to be won.
Cavan now meet Meath in the Cup Final and Offaly play Tyrone in the Plate Final
Cavan scorers: Adam Smith 1-5; Hugo Morgan 1-0; Jack Forde 0-3 (3f); Sean Harten 0-3; Adrian Magee, Charlie Gallagher 7 Oliver Clarke 0-2 each;, Darragh McKenna, Zach Byrne, Sean Graham, Connor Caffrey and Daire Young 0-1 each.
Offaly scorers: Joe Furey 2-4; Oliver Goulding 1-3; Darragh Seery, Martin Dunne and Conor Sullivan 0-1 each