Hayes the hero as brave Cavan end 87-year wait
ALL-IRELAND JFC FINAL
CAVAN………………………………………….. 2-14
KERRY…………………………………………… 0-14
Daire Walsh
O’Moore Park
AN 87-year wait was ended at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday, as Cavan were crowned All-Ireland junior football champions for the second time in their history.
A 2-2 haul by Cootehill corner-forward Tom Hayes was a major factor in ensuring Stephen Wallace’s Kerry were denied a 16th title.
And with full-forward Enda Hessin adding four sublime points, Cavan manager Terry Hyland identified the bravery, self-belief and unity of his squad, as the key factors in the win.
“It’s down to the quality of the ball going in, but in fairness they’re very good lads to win their own ball,” Hyland said of his full-forward line.
“Modern football is about bravery. You have to believe in your own ability, and you have to be brave enough to exercise that when you go out on the pitch.”
“They (the squad) are used to each other from underage level. They know each other very well at this stage, and that was probably more evident in the game than anything else.”
While it was Hayes’s goals that ultimately separated the teams, the woodwork came to Cavan’s rescue during the opening period, denying Kerry duo Gavan O’Grady and Ciaran Keating.
A goal would have galvanised the Kingdom’s challenge, but instead Cavan built up an early three-point cushion thanks to well-worked scores from Hayes, Enda Reilly, Paul O’Connor, Hessin and Chris Conroy (two).
A brace of inspirational points by full-forward Paul Kennelly, alongside contributions from Philip O’Connor and O’Grady, kept Kerry in touch, but thanks to Hayes’s ruthless finish from an acute angle on 20 minutes, Cavan’s held a four-point interval lead (1-7 to 0-6).
Despite the best efforts of Kennelly and O’Grady, Cavan remained in control on the resumption, and after Hayes palmed home his second major, a 44th-minute Hessin score subsequently increased the margin to eight.
A battling Kerry added five points in the closing stages, but two points from substitute David Hyland, as well as a final offering by the magnificent Hessin, eventually sealed the deal for Cavan.
In the absence of an Ulster Championship at this grade, Cavan compete in Leinster, and considering the value they have gained from the competition, Hyland (who doubles up his senior duties with the junior position) was quick to heap praise on the Cavan County Board and the Leinster Council for making their switch to the eastern province possible.
“It was a good decision, and a brave decision, by the Cavan County Board to let us go into Leinster. We have to thank Leinster as well for allowing us to play in that competition.
“Only for that we wouldn’t be here today, and from that point of view it has been good for our younger players. It’s been good for building football in Cavan. Because again, it’s a stepping stone for them,” Hyland added.
Scorers for Cavan: T Hayes (2-2), E Hessin (0-4), C Conroy (2 45s), E Reilly (1f), P O’Connor (1f), D Hyland (1f) (0-2 each).
Scorers for Kerry: G O’Grady (0-4, 1f), P Kennelly (0-3), P O’Connor (0-2, 1f), B Crowley (f), B O’Sullivan, C Keating, T Hickey, E Walsh (0-1 each).
Cavan: J Farrelly (Kingscourt); D Barkey (Ramor United), B Sankey (Shercock), F Reilly (Castlerahan); C Brady (Arvagh), J Morris (Arvagh), P Smith (Castlerahan); L Buchanan (Ballymachugh), P Leddy (Redhills); C Conroy (Lavey), C Moynagh (Drumgoon), E Reilly (Mullahoran); T Hayes (Cootehill), P O’Connor (Cavan Gaels), E Hessin (Cootehill).
Subs for Cavan: N Smith (Cavan Gaels) for O’Connor (46), D Hyland (Gowna) for Conroy (48), B Doyle (Ballinagh/Cornafean) for Leddy (52), N Clerkin (Shercock) for E Reilly (57), F Smith (Lavey) for Moynagh (60), C Caffrey (Mountnugent) for Hessin (60+2).
Kerry: S Murphy (Kilcummin); G Gibson (Waterville), K O’Dwyer (Waterville), D Wrenn (Tarbert); G Crowley (Waterville), D Daly (St Mary’s), M Brennan (Churchill); A Garnett (Spa), B O’Sullivan (Valentia); P O’Connor (Cordal), C Keating (Skellig Rangers), B Crowley (Templenoe); G O’Grady (Glenbeigh/Glencar), P Kennelly (Ballydonoghue), T Hickey (Castleisland Desmonds).
Subs for Kerry: D Roche (Glenflesk) for B Crowley (6-11, blood sub), S Moloney (John Mitchels) for Wrenn (24), A O’Donoghue (John Mitchels) for Daly (34), E Walsh (Knocknagoshel) for Crowley (40), P O Se (An Ghaeltacht) for O’Connor (42), Roche for Garnett (46).
Referee: J Henry (Mayo).