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| Sunday, 9 February, 2003, 18:19 GMT Cavan hammer Meath ![]() Mattie Kerrigan's team reached last year's NFL final Cavan 1-16 0-7 Meath Cavan produced a tremendous performance to hammer Meath in Sunday's Allianz National Football League clash at Breffni Park. Dermot McCabe hit eight of Cavan's points including six from frees. Eight Cavan players were on the scoresheet. The home side's slick forward play helped them to a 0-9 to 0-3 lead at the interval. Mickey Graham's goal 13 minutes into the second half ended the match as a contest. Mark McKeever capped an impressive display in the half-back line by contributing two late points. Meath's misery was compounded by the late dismissal of Mark O'Reilly who received a straight red-card. The victory gives Mattie Kerrigan's side maximum points from their opening two games. They defeated Kildare on the opening weekend of the NFL. Laois 1-14 1-11 Fermanagh A late goal from Laois debutant Barry Brennan broke Fermanagh's resistance at Portlaoise. The Ernesiders had fought back from five points down early in the second half to level entering the closing stages. However, young substitute Brennan struck a superb goal after great work by Donal Millar and Brian McDonald. Laois led 0-9 to 0-6 after an entertaining first half.
The home side led by three points after the first quarter but spurred on by a couple of fine Raymond Gallagher scores, the Ulster county fought back nearing half-time. Fermanagh goalkeeper Dermot Feeley then had to make a smart save to deny Colm Parkinson but Laois hit three quick points to lead by the same margin at the interval. Declan O'Reilly's goal helped Fermanagh's second half fightback but Brennan's late goal ultimately decided the match. Down 0-12 1-11 Mayo Ger Brady's second half goal proved the difference between the teams in a tight encounter watched by 2,500 people at Newcastle. Three Conor Mortimer points helped Mayo to an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead but Down fought back to trail by only one at the interval. Despite David Heaney's domination at centrefield, Down took the lead in the third quarter before Brady's goal restored Mayo's lead. The goal was very much a solo effort with Brady running 40 yards and hammering a great shot which Down goalkeeper Michael McVeigh did well to parry. Molloy injured Brady followed up to blast the ball home. In the closing stages, both teams were reduced to 14 minutes with Down's Gregory McCartan and Mayo's Fergal Kelly receiving their marching orders. Down had two great goal chances with Shane Ward's effort coming off the woodwork and Peter Burke superbly saving a Michael Walsh effort. In the Down attack, Walsh, Padraig Pearse McCartan and Aidan O'Prey took some nice scores but overall the Mourne attack lacked penetration. Earlier in the contest, Down full-back Alan Molloy had been forced to leave the field with a seriously looking injury. Allianz NFL full-times (1430 GMT unless stated) |
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