Gaelic Games

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI Contributor at Kingspan Breffni

Image source, Getty Images

Dermot McCabe admitted Cavan's wastefulness in front of goal proved decisive as their All-Ireland Championship campaign came to an end with defeat by Dublin at Kingspan Breffni.

The Breffni men remained firmly in contention after trailing by just a point at half-time, but Dublin pulled away after the interval to secure an 11-point victory, leaving McCabe to reflect on missed opportunities.

"I would have felt we were very much in the battle for the first 45 minutes or so," said McCabe.

"Unfortunately, we had a few wides in a row and a few drop-shorts that probably sucked a bit of the energy out of us.

"Our efficiency in front of goal was lacking. I felt we probably should have been a few points up at half-time, but we just didn't convert."

Cavan's shooting struggles continued throughout the contest despite efforts to improve their shot selection and scoring opportunities.

"We tried to work on ensuring our shooting positions were better because it's been a bit of a difficulty for us this year," he said.

"Our shooting positions were better, but our shots went askew."

Despite the disappointment of another championship exit, McCabe praised the commitment of his players and the backing they received from the home support.

"We had a massive effort level, and we're extremely grateful for the support that came here today," he said.

"We gave them something to shout about for long periods, but we're disappointed that we didn't give them the final 15 minutes that they deserved."

The Cavan manager also pointed to the impact injuries have had on his squad throughout the campaign.

"We've had two lads hospitalised in the last two weeks, and we've had a long injury list throughout the year," he said.

"It's frustrating for the players because they've put in a huge effort and we just didn't get those final pieces to click."

McCabe paid tribute to injured duo Evan Crowe and Gearóid McKiernan, highlighting their continued commitment to the county despite lengthy setbacks.

"Evan has had major surgery on his skull, and to see him here today still pushing the lads on says everything about him," McCabe said.

"Gearóid is making every effort possible to get back playing. The commitment from those lads and the passion they have for Cavan is huge."

Younger players stepped up

The campaign also saw several younger players given opportunities due to injuries and squad rotation, with McCabe believing those experiences will benefit the county in the future.

"We're probably up around eight or nine debutants over the course of the championship," he said.

"Lads like Jensen Tynan and Conor Casey have come in and acquitted themselves very well. There's a pathway there, and that's important."

Attention now turns to preparations for 2027, with McCabe confident there is still considerable potential within the squad.

"I'd be proud of Cavan," he said.

"I think the ceiling within this group is quite high and we're still a long way from reaching it.

"We aim to be a very competitive team and I still believe there's a lot more to come from this group."

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

A chance encounter with former Ireland rugby star Johnny Sexton helped Niall Morgan hold his nerve and convert a late two-point free as Tyrone beat Mayo 0-22 to 1-18 to secure a place in the last eight of the All-Ireland SFC.

The Edendork man had earlier converted a pressure 45' to level the sides, before coming forward to kick the winner from two-point range with 90 seconds remaining.

"We met Johnny Sexton in the campus at Easter time, whenever we were over, just by chance. A few of us got to chat to him and he just said about the importance of going through your routine and taking your time," Morgan told BBC Sport NI.

"At the end of the day, you're there to do a job and sometimes it's not the nicest or the easiest of jobs.

"Some days you're well ahead and you're going to hit the free kick. To be going up to hit one that ended up winning the game is a wee bit special.

"Just trying to relax and get your breathing down and just thinking about what you're going to do."

As Morgan was coming forward to take the kick he said the thoughts of his last-gasp miss in their Ulster SFC preliminary round loss by Armagh were racing through his head.

But, words from club-mate Darren McCurry, who kicked six points after coming on as a second-half substitute helped provide clarity.

"Armagh that's what was going through my head. That Ulster game and having the chance to equalise in the last kick, basically. I completely rushed it that day and I was so disappointed after the game that I'd done that.

"Darren McCurry just said to me, just relax, as I was going past. If he's happy to let me hit it, it just gives you the confidence. Because going forward, the form that he was in and he was giving me the go-ahead, that just thankfully went over.

"It's just a typical Tyrone and Mayo game, chaotic from start to finish. We're just delighted to get over the line, thankfully."

The Red Hands join Galway, Louth and Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals in two weeks' time.

"Having the week off is massive. Especially if you look at the teams that are now in that draw, it's going to be dog-eat-dog next weekend.

"We're going to get a chance to go a wee bit later, probably Tuesday night, and then build again for the weekend after," Morgan added.

"Ultimately, your aim is at the start of the year is to get to Croke Park and thankfully we're going to be there."

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI Contributor at Celtic Park

Image source, Getty Images

Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh admitted his side could have "no complaints" after their All-Ireland Championship campaign came to an end with a 1-24 to 1-20 defeat by Meath at Celtic Park.

The Oak Leafers battled back from an early deficit to level matters at 1-9 apiece at half-time, but were unable to gain control of the contest as Meath progressed to round three as the hosts unceremoniously exited the All-Ireland.

"I'm disappointed, we didn't deserve to win so we can have no complaints," Meenagh told BBC Sport NI.

"We put a huge amount of effort into trying to get a lift for a performance. It was very difficult after the Monaghan and Armagh games, and ultimately we weren't good enough, so that's the season closed now."

Despite going in level at the interval, Meenagh felt the warning signs were already there for Derry after Meath dominated possession throughout the opening period.

"If we had any return in the ball at all from both sets of kick-outs, we were scoring fairly easily," he said.

"We said that at half-time, but it didn't change. They still dominated primary possession, and when they're taking over half of our possession and winning over 80% of their own, that leaves us in a difficult position to win the game."

As Derry pressed for a response in the closing stages, Meenagh felt the physical toll of playing without sustained possession eventually caught up with his side.

"When you're chasing the game for a lot of it, then you're going to the ball for a lot of it. It's energy-sapping," he said.

"They were the better side and, as the game wore on, they started to get their scores easier."

While disappointed with the result, Meenagh pointed to the emergence of 19-year-old James Sargent as one of the positives to come from the evening.

The young forward marked his first Championship start with 1-2 and was one of Derry's standout performers.

"He's a special talent," said Meenagh.

"He's back from an ACL injury, so that was a positive. I thought he and some of the younger players were particularly good in terms of their battling qualities."

"It was a good performance from him, but that's one he won't remember for all the right reasons."

Reflecting on the end of a disappointing campaign, Meenagh said there was little he could say to lift spirits in the dressing room after the final whistle.

"Everybody's very, very disappointed," he added.

"You thank them for their efforts throughout the year, but there's not an awful lot you can say in a moment like that."

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

Meath manager Robbie Brennan hailed his side's resilience and composure after they edged past Derry in a dramatic All-Ireland SFC Round 2B clash at Celtic Park.

The Royals boss said post-match that he "knew we were at that level" despite recent provincial and All-Ireland championship defeats to Westmeath and Cork.

Meath won a chaotic encounter 1-24 to 1-20 after a tense second half that saw both sides reduced to 13 men following a flurry of black cards, but Brennan said his players had already proven their quality before arriving in Derry.

Brennan's charges were defeated by the Rebels by three points after being reduced to 14 men following Colm O'Callaghan's dismissal after 50 minutes, and the Meath boss believes the result was not a fair reflection of their ability.

"Cork have proven today they are a top-quality team by beating Donegal away from home," Brennan told BBC Sport NI.

"We held our hands up that we didn't control the Cork game the way we should have, with the red cards we were given."

"But other areas of the game we went after today, and I thought the lads did a lot in spades. So we knew the form was there and we weren't a bad team, and delighted the lads were able to do that today."

Brennan admitted the margins were again decisive in a tight Championship clash, with Meath making key interventions at crucial moments.

"They are tiny margins," he said.

"It's not easy to come up here and win a championship game against a really good Derry team."

"We're proud to have got the result today, but it only counts for today. We'll see what the draw brings on Monday and then turn our attention to next week."

Brennan also praised the influence of experienced players such as defender Donal Keogan, who scored Meath's sole goal of the match.

"When you come into a cauldron like this, they're the lads you hope can stand up," he said.

"Keoghan, I thought, was probably as good as I've ever seen him play. He was exceptional, and you need that to happen. Bryan Menton was the same — he put in a massive shift."

Looking ahead, Brennan admitted the short turnaround presents challenges but said his side will embrace the uncertainty of the draw as his side progress to round three of the All-Ireland Championship.

"I'm delighted with the result, but it's on to the bus and down the road and try and recover now for next week."

"There's no hiding place. Whoever we get on Monday, we'll be back in on Tuesday night to try and prepare as best we can."

"No matter who you get, your analysis will be small, and it's about recovery. Championship games are a different level. It's very difficult to go back-to-back, but that's the hand we're dealt. We just have to get on with it."

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Monaghan progressed to round three of the All-Ireland SFC as they eased to a 1-20 to 0-14 victory over Roscommon at St Tiernach's Park.

Gabriel Bannigan's side were wasteful in the first half, hitting eight wides, although they did fight back from being four points down at one stage to lead 1-9 to 0-7.

Stephen Mooney scored the goal and was denied a second by a smart save from Rossies' goalkeeper Conor Carroll.

The Farney men managed the second half well despite facing a stiff breeze, producing an efficient display as they again finished strongly to win by nine points.

The two sides exchanged early points at Clones before the Connacht winners moved ahead as they hit four successive points, with Daire Cregg scoring three of them.

Monaghan's wayward shooting with the breeze behind them was proving costly as they went 15 minutes without another point after their early two scores.

They finally found their shooting boots midway through the first half and got back into the game with a fine two-pointer from Jack McCarron.

Two more points from McCarron and Conor McCarthy quickly drew them level before the Farney men took the lead through Mooney, who fired beyond Carroll from close range.

McCarthy tagged on another point before Mooney was denied a second goal by the foot of the goalkeeper just before half-time.

Rory Beggan took the resulting 45 quickly to McCarron, who nailed his second two-pointer to give Monaghan a five-point advantage as the hooter sounded.

Roscommon started the second half well with a two-pointer from Diarmuid Murtagh and another from Dylan Ruane cutting the gap to two.

Monaghan then regained control again as they stretched their advantage back to five with three points in a row.

An off-colour Roscommon struggled to respond, despite having the wind behind them, as Monaghan kept the scoreboard ticking over in a well-managed second half to seal a comfortable victory.

Holders Kerry also booked their place in round three as they dispatched Kildare 3-22 to 0-17 at St Conleth's Park.

David Clifford, Diarmuid O'Connnor and Gavin White scored the goals for the Kingdom as they sailed into the next round.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI journalist at MacCumhaill Park

Image source, Inpho

Donegal boss Jim McGuinness admitted "there wasn't enough energy" in his side as they let slip a seven-point lead to lose 0-17 to 1-13 to Cork in their All-Ireland SFC round 2A game in Ballybofey.

McGuinness' side had been heavily fancied for Saturday's game as they looked to secure passage to the quarter-finals.

But Cork staged a comeback to reach the last eight, leaving Donegal with an unwanted extra game in round three next week.

"There wasn't enough energy in us, there wasn't enough fire, there wasn't enough spark in us," said McGuinness.

"It's really disappointing to be honest with you, we didn't do enough in the game.

"Cork came and they had the game plan to try and slow the game and take the sting out of the game but from our own point of view we just didn't do enough.

Donegal looked comfortable early in the second half as they led by seven, but six two-pointers - including four from Steven Sherlock who finished with 0-9 - sealed a famous comeback win for the Rebel County.

"I think just a couple of moments here and there that kind of cost us. We conceded a couple of free kicks, a couple of two-point free kicks, put them back into it," added McGuinness.

"The game changes very quickly then. Once that gap closes, in seven to five it really makes a difference on the scoreboard and the mentality and Cork sensed it then and you could sense that in the stadium that they sensed it and they kind of got after it more."

This was Donegal's third home championship loss in the past 12 months after their Ulster SFC quarter-final defeat by Down in Letterkenny in April and last year's reverse to Tyrone.

Although the blow is not fatal, it makes the road towards winning the Sam Maguire Cup a lot more difficult.

"It feels that way at the moment to be very honest with you. It's a really, really tough blow for us. We were very, very happy with our performance the last day.

"We're coming home, it's our second championship match this season we've lost at home, we lost last year as well against Tyrone.

"That's three home games in a row. That's not good enough, that just can't happen."

McGuinness added: "We had a long road last year. We had four games in Ulster and we had three games in a group. We still went into the preliminary quarter-final because we lost a game against Tyrone.

"We've only played half the games that we played last year. That shouldn't be an issue, really. We just have to dust ourselves down.

"We've got to go again. When we wake up tomorrow morning and realise that we're still in the Championship, even though we wanted to be heading to Croke Park on the back of this victory, particularly when you're playing at home in front of your own supporters, that's the part that gets stuck in your throat, really."

Image source, Inpho

Antrim will host Oisin McConville's Wicklow in the quarter-final of the Tailteann Cup as all of the Ulster sides were kept apart in Monday's draw.

Mark Doran's Saffrons will have the home comforts of Corrigan Park thanks to their win over Tipperary in Round 2A and will take on the Garden County who eliminated Tipperary in Round Three with an eight-point win on Saturday in Aughrim.

Antrim had a seven-point win when the teams met in the league earlier this year.

Fermanagh are also at home for their quarter-final against Sligo due to their winning run in the competition, but were tasked with an additional preliminary quarter-final at the weekend due to New York's inclusion in the competition at this stage.

Still, Declan Bonner's men romped to a 20-point win to move into the last eight and they will take on a Sligo side that have recovered from an opening round defeat by Tipperary to overcome Waterford and London with goals from Canice Mulligan and Gavin Gorman proving the difference against the Exiles in Ruislip at the weekend.

Sligo were winners when the sides met in Division Three back in February.

Down bounced back from their Round 2B defeat by Offaly with an impressive away win in Longford at the weekend and their reward is another away day as they will travel to face Laois.

Conor Laverty's side lost to the same opposition in the final round of the league, but had already qualified for the Division Three final at this stage.

All games take place this Saturday, 13 June.

Tailteann Cup quarter-final draw (all times BST)

Offaly v Wexford (13:00)

Antrim v Wicklow (14:00)

Laois v Down (16:00)

Fermanagh v Sligo (17:00)