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Cavan defeated neighboring Monaghan in the first game of the 2020 Soccer Championship, in overtime. Seamus ‘Banty’ McEnaney’s team is the first team eliminated in the race for the Sam Maguire Cup.
Last Updated: 10/31/20 8:35 pm
2:24
Overtime Epic Highlights
Cavan stunned Monaghan after extra time at Clones to eliminate Farney County from the 2020 Soccer Championship, winning 2-15 to 1-17.
Goalkeeper Raymond Galligan hit a long-distance free kick in injury time to seal the victory by one point, as Breffni County outscored their neighbors in the first elimination game between the sides since 1995.
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Dessie Ward of Monaghan in action against Killian Clarke of Cavan
Cavan’s 2019 victory was built on the solid foundations of a fast start, and they got underway. Oisin Pierson’s opportunistic low shot edged past Rory Beggan in the lower corner, and Breffni County took a 1-2-0-1 lead after 10 minutes.
However, playing with a strong wind behind him, Monaghan did not panic. In fact, they only allowed two more scores to be awarded in the entire half.
As the game progressed, McManus became the contest. He kicked a series of impressive points as the home team looked to establish a significant wind at halftime.
Cavan was about to hold on, after dodging three chances on Farney’s goal. However, moments before the break came the breakthrough. Kieran Duffy broke the right wing, before sending a delicious pass to forward Clontibret, who slipped it under the speedy Raymond Galligan for a 1-11 to 1-4 lead at halftime.
0:50 This wonderful McManus score was the choice of first half points
Playing in the strong breeze after the break, Monaghan looked to defend his lead. But his cautious approach backfired, as Cavan slowly worked his way back to the contest.
A series of successive efforts by Gearoid McKiernan boosted the momentum and dragged them back into the contest.
And a late point from Gerard Smith tied it at 1-13 to 1-13, forcing extra time.
McManus rioted in the first half, but fainted from the contest
Monaghan took the lead once again to take a two-point lead at overtime halftime, but a Martin Reilly goal turned the game around. The veteran shoved the ball into the empty net after man of the match, Thomas Galligan, passed the ball through the squad.
Rory Beggan thought he had made sure he would get to penalties with a free kick, but there was going to be a final twist as goalkeeper Galligan stood his ground to seal the victory.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Conor Boyle, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Ward, Fintan Kelly, Karl O’Connell; Darren Hughes, Kieran Hughes; Ryan McAnespie, Micheál Bannigan, Drew Wylie; Stephen O’Hanlon, Conor McCarthy, Conor McManus.
They dig: Raymond Galligan; Jason McLoughlin, Killian Clarke, Killian Brady; Gerard Smith, Ciaran Brady, Luke Fortune; James Smith, Padraig Faulkner; Martin Reilly, Gearoid McKiernan, Oisin Kiernan; Oisin Pierson, Stephen Smith, Cormac O’Reilly.
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