Impressive Cavan retain the Gerry Reilly Cup

Cavan 2-12 Dublin 0-8
Cavan proved too strong for Dublin in the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT Cup Final played on Sunday evening (26 July) in Millbrook, Oldcastle before a large crowd. They meant business from the start in their efforts to retain the cup and got the dream start with a point from Oisin Pierson and a goal from James Smith in the opening minutes.
Dublin hit back with 3 unanswered points from Richie English (f), James Doran and Eoin O’Dea to leave the minimum between the sides. But it was Cavan who were now creating all the chances. Cavan recorded 4 wides before Oisin Pierson scored 3 points on the trot.
The Cavan ‘keeper, Gary O’Rourke, made a great save on Richie English’s goal attempt that he pushed out for a 45. Dublin failed to convert the 45 for a score, while Cavan’s Oisin Pierson responded by pointing from a free.
By the 21st minute it was Dublin’s turn to be off target with 3 successive wides. A Rurai Curran point put Cavan up by 6 points.

Dublin were awarded 2 successive 45’s and Richie English converted one for a point to close the scoring of the first half.
H/T: Cavan 1-6 Dublin 0-4
Another converted free by Oisin Pierson almost straight away from the re-start extended the Cavan lead. It was Cavan who were dominating at this stage and their defence were on top.
By the 40th minute, Cavan had added 3 points and a goal (Cormac Wall) to lead 2-10 to 0-4. Cormac Timoney was black carded in the 42nd minute, but it did not seem to trouble Cavan.
Dublin did have a great chance for a goal, but it was blasted wide of the post. Dublin added 4 points to Cavan’s 2 points by the full time whistle. In this period Cavan had 2 other players black carded, but there was no way back for Dublin.

Cavan’s Ryan Coyle was presented with the Millbrook Food Market ‘Man of the match’ award by Dermot Monaghan (Oldcastle GFC)

Overall an impressive team display by Cavan who deserved their victory and have a lot they can build on for the future.

Afterwards the Cavan Captain, Cian Madden, was presented with the Gerry Reilly Cup by Claire Reilly (mother of Gerry)

Cavan: Gary O’Rourke, Ryan Madden, Evan Fortune, Ryan Coyle, Philip Rogers, Cormac Timony, Paddy Meade KDanny Cusack Lavey, Ronan Patterson, Rurai Curran (0-2), Cian Madden (0-3,1f), James Smith (1-0), Oisin Pierson (0-6,2f), Niall McCabe, Lee Reilly
Subs: Cormac Wall (1-0) for Reilly, Daniel Sweeney for Timony, Liam Maguire for Smith, Aaron Reilly (0-1) for McCabe, Ben Brunton for Pierson, Padraig Reilly for Curran

Dublin: James Keoghan, Liam Flatman, Ruiri Kerins, Davy Keogh, Luke Doran, Luke Walsh, Eoin O’Dea (0-1), Karl Bissett, Neil Matthews Richie English (0-3, 2f &45), James Doran (0-1), David Lacey (0-1), Ryan Meeney, Daniel Brennan, Niall O Leary (0-2,1f)
Subs: Daniel Denneher for Keogh, Dara O’Boyle for Kerins, Conor Carberry for Mathews

Ref: Martin Griffin (Meath)