03 February 2013
Antrim 1.14 Cavan 2.9
When a league campaign opens with a win it lifts the spirits of the team, the management and the supporters. And so it was a bunch of happy Saffrons who left Casement Park this afternoon after a 4th successive win over Cavan on a scoreline which falls some way short of signifying how much better we were than the visitors on the day.
It was in the second half that Antrim pulled away and took control of the game, but in the first period the ingredients of this game were all on show. Some fantastic fielding from our midfielders, powerful running from Conor Murray along with Michael McCann and Sean McVeigh and our scores which were too infrequent, were well taken especially by Ryan Murray and Michael Pollock. However there was also some possession easily coughed up, wayward passes and some poor decisions with the final ball.
We don’t know what the possession stats are but we surely had well over 50% of the ball in the first period. Cavan made it difficult by bringing 11 men behind the ball for long periods, and they made it extra difficult when one of their breakaway attacks led to a goal. That made for a half time score of Antrim 0.7, Cavan 1.5.
The second period opened with two points for Cavan as their lead stretched to a clear goal. But from that point we notched 6 scores in a row as the Antrim mid quartet exerted a firm grip on Cavan kickouts and in chasing up the second ‘dirty’ ball. Scores from Murray (both of them), Justin Crozier and Pollock helped build the lead and this period of the game was summed up by a superb catch and run from Michael McCann which led indirectly to a point via the woodwork. When Michael Pollock goaled after a great passing move the lead was 5 points, 1.12 to 1.7.
Cavan got a lifeline with a penalty which keeper Kerr was unlucky not to reach and when the visitors scored the next point the lead was down to 1. However Antrim stepped up and calmly went about the business of getting the next two points, both fisted over the bar when goals may have been on the agenda.
Conor Murray was taken off at this stage and he had put in a huge effort, replaced by Conal Kelly which goes some way to showing the depth of the panel. Kieran Close came on late for the younger Ryan who can be very pleased with his contribution too.
There was to be one more point from Cavan before one of their forwards attempted to buy a second penalty. The referee instead pointed for a free out and that was the last kick of the game.
One disappointing element of the match was a straight red card for Sean McVeigh who had been involved in a tussle with a Cavan player. Despite two men clearly involved only McVeigh was red carded and we will miss him for future games – along with McCann in midfield they made a really strong and effective partnership.
Frank Dawson will be pleased, although there is much to build on there were a lot of positives too. The defence was solid – by and large – with captain Kevin O’Boyle once again leaving his mark on the game. The new players made a massive contribution and with the likes of Michael Magill and Tomas McCann still to come back into the frame, well there is much to be optimistic about.
Next stop Sligo – the Division 3 campaign is up and running and so far? So Saffron.
