‘HUGHES INJURY WAS DEVASTATING FOR US’

MONAGHAN boss Vinny Corey was devastated to see talisman Darren Hughes stretchered off in yesterday’s defeat.

Hughes was one of three players hurt in a 42nd minute collision at St Tiernach’s Park that resulted in a seven-minute delay for treatment.

Major

The Scotstown man had a couple of big first half turnovers and was a major influence on the game at the time.

The extent of the injury is not yet known.

Corey said:

“He’s away to hospital.

That’s the big loss out of it.

“This is

Darren’s

O’Connell fed Conor McCarthy, whose shot was saved, but lively half-time sub Michael Hamill was there to blast to the net.

Order appeared to have been restored to proceedings when Joel Wilson pointed a mark for Monaghan after a Beggan pass off a big defensive, dirty ball win from Ryan O’Toole.

Delay

Then Beggan found O’Connell for a mark. The All Star wing back wisely returned it to his goalie, who lofted over for a two point lead on 72 minutes.

But with 10 minutes stoppage time over a lengthy delay due to the Hughes injury, there was still time for Cavan.

Lynch pointed from play and 18th season and to see him go off like that there is devastating.

“Whatever about the result, we just hope that whatever injury he has got, isn’t a bad one.” Corey (inset) didn’t pick Rory Beggan in his side for the match programme, but the All Star goalkeeper started after his return from NFL training camps and trials in America. Beggan came in for Darren McDon nell and kicked three points, but when Beggan missed a long range free, Monaghan were a point ahead. Cavan summoned up all their reserves to put together the best move of the game.

Killian Brady and Faulkner were involved before Smith exchanged passes with Cormac O’Reilly and drove to the net for a two point lead on 76 minutes. No soft point options for Cavan again as their boldness — or ruthlessness — paid off handsomely.

Then Cormac O’Reilly won a high ball, was fouled and Lynch did the needful.

And in the final play of the game referee Brendan Cawley penalised Micheal Bannigan for what appeared to be a pull on an opponent’s arm.

With Monaghan pushed up also saw three goals fly past him as Cavan kicked on in the final quarter.

The Scotstown man hasn’t landed an NFL contract, but it could still happen for him.

Corey said: “It’s one of those situations.

Manage

“We never had it before so we are just going to have to manage it week by week until the situation might change.

“He’s a special sort of keeper, isn’t he?

“He was excellent again today.

If there was any doubt he should have started, that was dealt with as I thought he was outstanding.

“If you have a player like that at your disposal, you use him.” looking for an equalising goal, Ciaran Brady drove it over the top to Lynch, who fired to the empty net to complete a 1-9 personal haul and send the Cavan crowd wild.

It also completed a miserable Spring for Monaghan, who were relegated to Division 2 after 10 years in Division 1.

Corey said: “You would be hoping you would get a few bodies back (from injury for the AllIreland series).

“It’s probably a line in the sand for the first half of the year for us.

“We have time now to lick our wounds, to dust ourselves down and get a bit of breathing space ahead of the next stage of the Championship.”

PADDY LYNCH

(CAVAN) Lynch is a quality shooter. He hit 1-9, and although the goal came when the game was over, his eight dead balls were often difficult, and critical in keeping Cavan in the hunt. Padraig Faulkner and Karl O’Connell were the best of the rest.