All hands were on board Sunday at Gaelic Park as Kevin Lilly returned from his self-imposed exile and the managerial expertise of Leslie McGettigan was added to the mix.
Donegal were quickly on the scoreboard, courtesy of a Gary Kennedy free after a foul on John Mason. Sharpshooter Brian Newman replied for Cavan before Kennedy was on target again. Then Shane McInerney cleverly set up Jamie Shaw as he raced through from defense to fire over a nice point.
At this stage, the Donegal attack were keeping the Cavan rearguard under pressure as Sean McFadden linked up well with the big Vernon Gallagher, the latter getting his name on the scoresheet.
At the halfway stage, Gary Kennedy increased Donegal’s lead to two points after a foul on the full forward. Donegal lost their inspirational mid fielder Padraig Kissane through injury, but Kevin Lilly stepped into the breach. The target man Gallagher was on the mark again to push Donegal three points clear. Donegal were playing tenaciously and the usually tight marking Cavan men were finding it tough to keep them in check. A Gareth Kelly burst through the middle ended with Kevin Lilly pointing from the resultant free.
The long scoring drought ended for Cavan after Brian Newman put Michael Ling through for a point to make it 0-6 to 0-3. But Lilly was soon on target again for Donegal with a pointed free after a Eugene O’Haen foul on Sean McFadden. Gary Kennedy had his best score of the day after he lofted over a sideline ball to put Donegal in front by 5 points. Approaching halftime, Shane McInerney was off the mark with a free resulting from Nickey Doherty overcarrying the ball out of defense. The Donegal defense had a let off after a good cross from Newman fell outside the post.
After the break, Cavan introduced Noel McParthlin to the attack and Gary Cunningham raised their spirits with a point. It was quickly answered by a similar score from Vernon Gallagher. A patched up Kissane returned to the fray, replacing Christy Ryan. Then referee Jimmy Naughton displayed his zero-tolerance approach as he brandished a red card to Anton Diver. Apparently some players are slow to learn that ankle tapping and shin kicking are forms of striking.
Cavan soon picked up the pace considerably with Shane Russell asserting himself more powerfully into the proceedings, but the Donegal rearguard were giving nothing soft. Shane McInerney added a point to their tally, and Shane Russell had a fine effort from 40 yards. Cavan continued to press and enjoyed their most productive spell when Gary Cunningham reduced the deficit to two points midway through the second half. But Gary Kennedy was on target again as was the other Gary for Cavan, keeping two points between the sides with 10 minutes left to play. Padraig Kissane increased Donegal’s lead with a fine point, but Cavan stayed right in touch with another Gary Cunningham point. The same player was guilty of a bad miss that would have put the minimum between the sides. With 6 minutes left, the threatening torrents finally drenched the proceedings, but it had little effect on the appetite of both teams. Donegal withstood the late Cavan challenge to tack on two more points by their chief marksman, Gary Kennedy.
As usual, reports of Donegal’s imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated. They certainly are very much alive in the race for championship honors.
Man of the Match: Gary Kennedy
Donegal: Eunan Doherty, Patrick Dooher, Nickey Doherty, Christy Ryan, Shawn Campbell, Adrian Meehan, Martin Donaghy, Padraig Kissane (0-1), Seamus Fitzgerald, Anton Diver, Gareth Kelly, John Mason, Sean McFadden, Vernon Gallagher (0-3), Gary Kennedy (0-7). Sub: Kevin Killy (0-2).
Cavan: Paul O’Dowd, James McIntyre, Colm Hannon, Eugene O’Hagen, Francie Sheridan, John Ling, Jamie Shaw (0-1), Shane Russell (0-1), Barry Annette, Colm Fitzpatrick, Michael Ling (0-1), Shane McInerney (0-1), Brian Newman (0-1), Eoin O’Carroll, Gary Cunningham (0-4). Subs: Noel McParthlin, Sean Lordan, Dobbie Smith.