Lynch leads storming fightback to leave Cavan on the rocks
A STORMING Derry finish for the second Saturday running has moved the Oak Leafers within touching distance of an All-Ireland quarter-final spot.
Veteran Mark Lynch was inspirational as Damian Barton’s men outscored favourites Cavan by 0-8 to 03 in the last 15 minutes.
Derry trailed by three with 59 minutes on the clock but conjured a string of late scores to secure a place in tomorrow’s Round 4A draw.
Cavan lost defender Feargal Flanagan to a red card in first-half injury-time but still had the opportunity to move four ahead approaching the hour mark.
Seanie Johnston sliced a close range free wide though and Derry took full advantage, twice levelling the scores in the run in before pulling clear for the two-point win.
Sub Niall Toner delivered three crucial points while Emmet McGuckin, a goal scorer early on when Derry struggled, weighed in with a late point also.
Cavan started well and led for the majority of the first half, taking a 0-11 to 1-4 lead into the interval.
Gearoid McKiernan wore number 11 but started at midfield and scored four first-half points while Jack Brady was the only forward who didn’t get on the score sheet in that opening period.
Brady, Michael Argue and Martin Reilly were all late additions to the Cavan team with Ciaran Brady, Liam Buchanan and Eugene Keating, a goal scorer against Carlow, missing out.
A 10th-minute Derry goal from powerful full-forward McGuckin kept the visitors just about in it. Cavan were consistently troubled under the high ball and McGuckin rose up to punch Ciaran McFaul’s delivery to the Cavan net.
James Kielt hit Derry’s opening point but was black carded in the 23rd minute for a tangle with Conor Moynagh. Cavan lost Flanagan in injury-time for an off the ball incident that left Lynch, another of
Derry’s point scorers, clutching his midriff.
It was a timely boost for Derry who restarted with points from Conor McAtamney and Lynch to leave two in it.
But Cavan were still in control and led 0-15 to 1-9 when Johnston wasted that gilt-edged opportunity to push them four ahead.
Led by Lynch, Derry fought back to level terms twice and late points from McGuckin, Enda Lynn, Toner and Lynch sealed another courageous comeback win. derry: T Mallon; K McKaigue, G McKinless, C McKaigue; C Mullan, B Rogers (L McGoldrick 60), C McFaul (N Forrester 71); C McAtamney (E Bradley 51), N Holly; D Heavron, E Brown (N Loughlin 31), C Bradley (N Toner 48); J Kielt (E Lynn 25), E McGuckin, M Lynch. Scorers: M Lynch 0-7 (4f), E McGuckin 1-1, N Toner 0-3, C Bradley, J Kielt, C McAtamney, N Loughlin (0-1 45), E Lynn, D Heavron 0-1. Frees: 17 (7). Wides: 5 (3). yellow card: McFaul 31. Black card: Kielt 23, McKinless 76. Cavan: R Galligan; P Faulkner (C Brady 46), R Dunne, K Brady (J McLoughlin 53); F Flanagan, C Moynagh, K Clarke; T Corr (G Smith 67), G McKiernan; D McVeety, M Argue (N Murray h-t), M Reilly; C Mackey (L Buchanan 71), S Johnston (T Hayes 57), J Brady. Scorers: G McKiernan 0-4 (3f), R Galligan (3f), D McVeety 0-3, M Reilly 0-2, M Argue, C Mackey, S Johnston (1f), C Moynagh, J Brady (1f), G Smith 0-1. Frees: 18 (9). Wides: 11 (7). yellow card: Johnston 19. red card: Flanagan 35+3. referee: E Kinsella (Laois).