Cavan open account with hard-fought Louth victory

A strong finish saw Cavan pick up a priceless home win over Louth, securing the Breffni County's first points of the league.

The visitors held a 0-12 to 1-07 lead after an interesting if, at times, error-strewn first half. Cavan probably should have been ahead at that juncture – poor passing cost them turnovers which led to scores, while young corner-forward Darragh Lovett saw a weak 27th-minute penalty saved by Niall McDonnell – but they timed their run, and two goals in as many minutes in the closing stages made the difference.

The Blues came out fired up in the second half and while it was far from a perfect performance, it was full of heart and featured plenty of smart play.

Cavan will feel they were the better side, although Louth will rue a succession of missed chances and the concession of those two soft goals on the home stretch. The first of those saw Conor Madden intercept a kick-out and finish superbly from the wing; for the second, a point attempt from Gearoid McKiernan dropped into the top corner of the net – and there was no way back for the visitors after that.

Ryan Burns – who was very dangerous early on, getting four shots off in the first nine minutes – opened the scoring with a well-taken two-pointer before Cavan’s outstanding player on the day, Dara McVeety, bravely slid in to toe-poke an equaliser.

Both sides, coming off losses, looked to keep it tight at the back and break out; Louth were able to do this at a greater pace than Cavan were but the Blues improved as the half wore on, cutting out some of the unforced errors.

Burns kicked Louth’s second and squandered a goal chance when he shot straight at Gary O’Rourke. Ciaran Downey skipped through for an easy point and, from another goal chance, Liam