Cavan kicked off their Ulster Championship campaign for 2024 with an eye-catching victory over neighbours Monaghan in Raymond Galligan's first match as Cavan boss. Goals from Gerard Smith, Pádraig Faulkner and a colossal 1-9 tally from talisman Paddy Lynch proved the difference for the Breffni men in getting over the line in Clones.
Speaking to The GAA Social after the game, Paddy gave his take on what were they key factors in his side edging out Monaghan. One notable detail was the contrast in turnovers, Cavan blocked up the centre of their defence and turned Monaghan over in the D time and time again, racking up 21 turnovers to Monaghan's 11, with one of those turnovers eventually leading to Paddy Lynch firing in the goal at the end that put the icing on the cake on a glorious day for Cavan.
"We forced a lot of turnovers. That's probably what the victory was based on"
In a first half where Cavan failed to score from play, the free taking of Paddy Lynch became of vital importance. The Crosserlough star shouldered this responsibility admirably, nailing all chances presented to him and making sure that at half time Cavan remained within shot of Monaghan.
"Well probably in the first half there was a good importance on them with that breeze, because Monaghan were blocking up the middle so you weren't probably gonna get enough scoring opportunities so every opportunity I got I probably had to take them, so glad they went over now today"
Free-taking exhibition
Lynch's accuracy from the frees has been striking throughout the 2024 season - according to a report on the Anglo Celt last week, he as only missed 6 frees in 2024. The marksmanship he displayed during Cavan's impressive Division 2 campaign in the Allianz Leagues has now been backed up on their biggest day of the year so far in Clones. The Crosserlough star converted all types of frees: from both sides of the goal, from the ground as well as incredible accuracy from his hands. Lynch has inherited all of the freetaking duties with the retirement of Gearóid McKiernan, and in his chat with the GAA Social, Lynch delved into where this talent has come from.
"I probably take them with my club on both sides. Gearóid (McKiernan) was there for the last few years, since he's gone I've decided to take them myself, so look it they're going over at the minute so thank god"
"Always growing up I happened to be the club free taker so it was probably just something I continued working at and that's the way it's going at the minute"
Cavan were also led tremendously by Pádraig Faulkner, who received RTÉ's Player of the Match award. The 2020 All-Star also belted in a tremendous goal for Cavan to give them a turbo boost at a stage in which they were in dire need. While Gerard Smith supplied the second goal past the returning and imperious Rory Beggan. All of this combined with Lynch's salvo gave Cavan enough to get over the line.
"You couldn't beat that feeling. Definitely is a massive result. We're glad now after the last two league games we were probably under pressure and then nobody was giving us a chance coming into this"
With this victory Cavan now face the 2021 All-Ireland Champions Tyrone. Brian Dooher's side successfully retained their status in Division 1 for another season and can also count on one of the best forwards in the game right now in Darragh Canavan. The son of Peter The Great is in astonishing form as he picked up three Player of the Match awards alongside a Sigerson Cup winners medal already in the first four months of 2024. However, Cavan will feel confident. Tyrone also have shown some inconsistency with some flat performances against Derry, Dublin and Galway, which will give Cavan hope that they can claim a major scalp on their next day out.
"If we bring the intensity and the hard work again, I feel like we're a match for anyone. When we don't bring the hard work, we're very average so no look it that's what we'll aim for in the next two weeks"
