Raymond Galligan embraces winds of change in opening Cavan win

Cavan manager Raymond Galligan played down the effect of the wind as his side produced a second half comeback to defeat Monaghan in the Ulster SFC preliminary round.

The match was played out in Clones amid the final remnants of Storm Kathleen and it was Monaghan who had the wind in their favour during the first half.

They would fail to take full advantage, going in at half-time only 0-07 to 0-05 up, before the goals rained in during in the second period.

A Michael Hamill strike had given Monaghan a narrow lead during the final quarter, but Paidrag Faulkner, Gerard Smith and top scorer Paddy Lynch all found the net to turn the game decisively in Cavan's favour.

Galligan's side eventaully ran out 3-12 to 1-12 winners in the former goalkeeper's first championship outing as manager, and he felt that there was more to his side's victory than having the wind at their backs during the second half.

"The messaging at half-time was just about being composed," he said on RTÉ's The Sunday Game afterwards.

"We knew the wind wasn't going to be the winning of the game, it was more about being measured in our passing. We felt that Monaghan probably overpassed on top of the D and we got a lot of turnovers in that area.

"We put a big focus on continuing to run the ball and making sure that we didn't give up cheap possession, and when the opportunity arose that we would take that high-percentage shot rather than get excited because it's so blustery.

"It was about staying measured, pushing up on our kick-out, contesting around midfield and do not take a step back with the work-rate. The work-rate in the first half, I felt was phenomenal to put ourselves only two points down and the guys kicked on in the second half.

Cavan manager Raymond Galligan