Cavan GAA

Cavan have made history by becoming the first ever team to reach the Tailteann Cup final, after they beat Sligo in a very entertaining game at Croke Park.

However, the game management by Mickey Graham's team proved to be the difference, and performances from the likes of Killian Clarke in defence and Gearóid McKiernan at the other end always gave their team a little bit of breathing room throughout the game. A dull but controlled Cavan performance looked to be on the cards today, until a Patrick O'Connor penalty brought them right back into the game, and they managed to keep in touching distance until the very end. Cavan have made history by becoming the first ever team to reach the Tailteann Cup final, after they beat Sligo in a very entertaining game at Croke Park.

Cavan defeated Sligo 0-20 to 1-14 at Croke Park in the first of today's Tailteann Cup semi-finals.

Sligo had another wide deep in injury time and when Alan Reilly and Carrabine (free) scored, Cavan were two up and hanging on for dear life. Gerry Smith landed the next two, in the 65th and 72nd minutes, either side of two poor Sligo wides. Sligo introduced star attacker Niall Murphy at half-time and he caused Cavan a lot of problems.

Cavan are into the inaugural Tailteann Cup final, after holding off a strong Sligo challenge to win 0-20 to 1-14 at Croke Park.

Cavan were pre-tournament favourites, and are through to the Tailteann Cup final. O'Connor's fierce shot came off the crossbar, and Gerard Smith produced a dramatic goal-line stop to deny Mikey Gordon. Patrick O'Connor dispatched it past Raymond Galligan, and further points from Pat Hughes and Darragh Cummins closed the gap to one. Niall Murphy for Pat Hughes (ht) Conor Moynagh for Killian Brady (67) Luke Fortune for Ciarán Brady (68) Aidan Devaney denied James Smith from close range, as the Yeats County struggled to stay afloat. However, they then began to spurn opportunities at crucial moments. Oisín Brady for Stephen Smith (58) Cavan dominated the opening exchanges. Cavan: Gearoid McKiernan (0-4), Gerard Smith (0-4), Cian Madden (0-2), James Smith (0-2), Raymond Galligan (0-1, 0-f), Killian Brady (0-1), Killian Clarke (0-1), Conor Brady (0-1), Thomas Galligan (0-1), Oisín Kiernan (0-1), Martin Reilly (0-1), Paddy Lynch (0-1). But the 2020 Ulster champions' class eventually told.

Sligo and Cavan meet in Croke Park this afternoon in the first of a Tailteann Cup semi-final double-header. Sligo forced their way into the semi-final after ...

Sligo have had their chances in attack but have fluffed their lines; they really need to get on the board soon. Conor Brady clips a point over with his left foot and Cavan are now six clear. Cavan then reply with a point of their own at the other end. Cavan reply through Killian Clarke and Gearóid McKiernan. They still need a goal here and time is running out fast! Cavan are on their way to the Tailteann Cup final.

Sligo and Cavan meet in Croke Park this afternoon in the first of a Tailteann Cup semi-final double-header. Sligo forced their way into the semi-final after ...

Sligo have had their chances in attack but have fluffed their lines; they really need to get on the board soon. Conor Brady clips a point over with his left foot and Cavan are now six clear. Cavan then reply with a point of their own at the other end. Cavan reply through Killian Clarke and Gearóid McKiernan. They still need a goal here and time is running out fast! Cavan are on their way to the Tailteann Cup final.

Leading by five points at half-time, the 2020 Ulster champions might have been expected to push on for a more comfortable win but in the end were more than ...

Two points was as close as the Connacht semi-finalists got though as Cavan kept their noses just about in front with two crucial points from McKiernan and Gerard Smith in the run-in. James Smith struck his second of the day for Cavan shortly after though Sligo had still eaten into their lead and got the gap down to just two points with 15 minutes to go. It all added up to a 0-11 to 1-3 half-time lead for Cavan and Killian Clarke Clarke became their 12th different scorer when he found his range in the 45th minute. Cavan deserved their 0-6 to 0-0 lead after the opening 15 minutes though O'Connor's 20th minute goal came as a lifeline for Sligo which just about kept them in contention. Murphy scored four second-half points and helped to get the margin back to just two points on a couple of occasions late on but Cavan held on with star duo Gearoid McKiernan and Gerard Smith registering crucial late points. Cavan will return to Croke Park in just under three weeks for a July 9 final clash with Westmeath or Offaly on the undercard to the All-Ireland SFC semi-final meeting of Galway/Armagh and Derry/Clare.

Sligo and Cavan meet in Croke Park this afternoon in the first of a Tailteann Cup semi-final double-header. Sligo forced their way into the semi-final after ...

“It's a great sign of the squad that the lads bought in to what we want to do. Let's give this a good cut and see where it gets us and that it was a stepping stone of making the last 15 of the qualifiers next season. “They're just striving to improve. Sligo have had their chances in attack but have fluffed their lines; they really need to get on the board soon. I think we have had four or five games in championship, which is already a third of what Niall Murphy would have had before that. “So we thought if we do this but the players aren’t on board then it won’t make much sense. Conor Brady clips a point over with his left foot and Cavan are now six clear. Cavan then reply with a point of their own at the other end. 13 mins gone 15 mins gone 19 mins gone 22 mins gone