McVeety calls the tune as Cavan see off Tipp with ease

Cavan recovered from a slow start to claim the points with this easy win over a disappointing Tipperary side.

Tipp had recorded four competitive wins at this venue in the last 15 seasons but apart from an early flurry, during which they opened a four-point lead, they were second best here as Cavan dominated in all sectors.

Three frees from Jack Kennedy and a well-taken goal, after a high ball in from Sean O'Connor, helped Tipp into a 1-03 to 0-02 lead on 14 minutes, with Oisin Brady (free) and Dara McVeety on the mark for the home side.

McVeety, back on the squad for the first time since 2019, was the best player on show, kicking three eye-catching first-half points from centre half-back.

Ryan O’Neill (mark), McVeety and three from Oisin Brady – two frees and a cracker from play – nudged Cavan in front and there they would stay.

A poor wide from a free seemed to demoralise Tipperary, who were struggling on their own kick-out, and Mickey Graham’s side kicked on.

A Brady free and one from play from McVeety extended their advantage and when the industrious O’Neill reacted quickest to a break off the woodwork and engineered a goal from nothing, Cavan were 1-09 to 1-04 up and cruising.

Martin Reilly added a point just before half-time to give Cavan a six-point lead at the midway point.

The second half was forgettable as the tempo dropped. Wing-back Tiarnan Madden extended Cavan’s lead on the resumption but 14 scoreless minutes followed before Oisin Brady pointed from play,

Jack Kennedy, whose place-kicking was impressive, added a free and a 45 but the match petered out in the final quarter, a Ray Galligan 45 and two scores from play for sub Brandon Boylan the highlights of the closing stages as Cavan, for whom the excellent Niall