CAVAN took a firm control in the second half to registered an ultimately comfortable win over Donegal’s Under-21s in Ballybofey.
Donegal 1-6 Cavan 2-14
The starting blocks for these teams in 2017 will be separated by six weeks and it told as Cavan had too much, out-scoring Declan Bonner’s team 2-8 to 0-4 in the second half.
Although it was another good workout for Bonner’s boys, who are taking the place of the county seniors in the Dr McKenna Cup, the experience of Cavan proved too much.
Second-half goals by substitutes Niall Dunne and Paul O’Connor fired them to the win.
Cavan will be in Division 1 of the Allianz League this year meaniong that Mattie McGlennon’s men have a more pressing deadline to be ready with Bonner’s focus on being primed for an Ulster Under-21 clash with Tyrone on March 15.
It is two-out-of-two for Cavan under new manager Mattie McGlennon after a useful win over Tyrone last Sunday and the Breffni are into 2017 with a sense of purpose.
Cavan’s first goal arrived in the 51st minute, substitute Dunne converting from close range at the back post after Turloc Mooney scuffed his initial shot.
Dunne’s goal put five points between them and was a real sucker punch for the young Donegal men and Cavan added another three-pointer late in the game when O’Connor finished from Joshua Hayes’ high ball.
Cavan began with three points in the opening ten minutes, two of them frees by Seanie Johnston, either side of Martin Reilly’s score, creeping just over the Donegal crossbar after Tomas Corr broken down a kickout from Dylan Doherty.
Last summer, Derry had been hopeful of getting Moville clubman Doherty into their panel for the All-Ireland qualifiers and Bonner has now drafted the Inishowen teenager into his panel.
Doherty saved low from Shane Tierney’s attempt at goal in the 11th minute after Killian Clarke’s siezed possession on a kick-out from the Donegal ‘keeper that slipped through the hands of Daire Ó Baoill.
Donegal showed five changed from the side that had ran UUJ agonisingly close seven days previously.
Doherty took over from Danny Rodgers in goal, while IT Sligo-tied Eoghan Ban Gallagher and Jamie Brennan were replaced by Ciaran Gibbons and Adam Neely, while the injured Niall Friel’s void was filled by Ethan O’Donnell.
Kieran Gillespie broke onto the Donegal senior ranks in 2016 and, having been with his college, DIT, last weekend, the Gaoth Dobhair man came in for Christian Bonner, who is away with NUIG today.
Donegal had popped two early efforts into James Farrelly’s hands before they finally got off the mark – with a goal – in the 18th minute.
Carroll’s shot was blocked down, but the situation was read magnificently by Ethan O’Donnell and the Glenties man neatly tucked past Farrelly.
Although Ciaran Brady responded immediately for Cavan, Donegal were in front thanks to quick fire scores by Adam Neely – whose goalbound effort was deflected over by Reilly – and Carroll.
Niall McDermott’s free brought Cavan level at the interval, but they were indebted to the head of Padraig Faulkner, their full-back, as they went in on an even keel.
O’Donnell had a sight of a second Donegal goal late in the half after getting on the end of Langan’s pass, but his shot careered off Faulkner and out for a ’45.
Faulkner registered a Cavan point early in the second half and, with Mooney and Johnston (free) on target, the visitors took control, but Conor Morrison broke up to fist over.
When Jason McGee, another of the Donegal debutants, raised the roof with a huge long-range free, Donegal had hope, but they evaporated when Dunne netted.
Two minutes from the end, O’Connor put complete daylight between them for an eleven-point win that was a tad harsh on the Donegal men.
Donegal finish off their McKenna Cup campaign on Wednesday night when they take on Tyrone at Healy Park.
Donegal: Dylan Doherty; Conor Morrison (0-1), Stephen McMenamin, Danny Monagle; Ciaran Gibbons (0-1), Kieran Gillespie, Daire Ó Baoill; Tony McClenaghan, Micheál Carroll (0-1); Conor Doherty, Michael Langan, Ethan O’Donnell (1-0); Niall O’Donnell, Gavin McBride, Adam Neely (0-2, 1f). Subs: Brendan McCole for Gillespie (19), Jason McGee (0-1, 1f) for McBride (42), Darragh Black for Neely (46), Daniel Gallagher for E.O’Donnell (53), Naoise Ó Baoill for Langan (58), Ciaran Diver for Doherty (60).
Cavan: James Farrelly; Fergal Reilly, Padraig Faulkner (0-3), Killian Brady; Ciarán Brady (0-1), Martin Reilly (0-1), Gerard Smith (0-1); John McCutcheon, Tomas Corr; Joe Dillon, Turloc Mooney (0-1), Killian Clarke (0-1); Shane Tierney, Niall McKiernan, Sean Johnston (0-4, 4f), Stephen Murray for Corr (31). Subs: Niall McDermott (0-1, 1f) for Dillon (19), Rory Dunne (1-0) for Tierney (half-time), Christopher Conroy (0-1) for McKiernan (53), Paul O’Connor (1-0) for Mooney (58), Joshua Hayes for Smith (66).
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).
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