Cafferkey is a rock for winning Mayo
GER CAFFERKEY was a rock at the back for Mayo who made it three from three in Division 1 with a five-point win over Cavan at MacHale Park.
James Horan’s men were outstanding as they soundly beat Tyrone in Omagh last time out and this was another strong performance against Ulster opposition.
Evan Regan’s goal separated the sides at the break after Cavan failed to make their early chances pay. And then when Stephen Murray was sent-off late on, Cavan couldn’t find a way back into the game.
It was a blistering start from Cavan but Mayo gradually got back into the game and Andy Moran’s fisted point began the comeback.
Last week’s hero Fionn McDonagh scored an inspirational point and then Jason Doherty drew the sides level for the second time in the 17th minute.
Niall Murray gave Cavan the lead again but then Raymond Galligan had to turn saviour in his own goalmouth when he dived brilliant to save from Stephen Coen’s speculative goalbound effort.
But Mayo were in control now and Regan drew them level from another free before they took the lead for the first time in the 25th minute, Aidan O’Shea provided the score after a mark.
Doherty doubled Mayo’s lead and Conor Rehill got forward to score Cavan’s first point in a quarter of an hour.
But Mayo got their goal in the 36th minute. Diarmuid O’Connor found his midfield team-mate Matthew Ruane and when his high ball dropped short Regan got the decisive touch ahead of goalkeeper Galligan.
Rehill ate into the lead with a late point but Mayo were a goal in front at the interval in the rain.
Mayo made the better start in the second half, they dominated early on and only for three wides they would have been well in front.
Regan pointed a free and a fine score from Lee Keegan, his first of the League, gave Mayo a 1-9 to 0-7 advantage after 45 minutes.
Brady got Cavan back into the game when he converted his third free and then McVeety doubled his tally to leave just a goal between the sides again.
But crucially Mayo got the next two points through substitutes Donal Vaughan and Brian Reape.
They couldn’t be caught and Cavan had Murray sent-off in the 62nd minute after he collided with Kevin McLoughlin.
Mayo showed their experience late on and two brilliant points from Doherty and O’Connor pushed them out of touch.
Martin Reilly scored a free for Cavan at the death but they slumped to their third defeat of the campaign.