THEY MADE hard work of it, but Letterkenny Institute of Technology defeated Cavan Institute for their second win of the new season at O’Donnell Park.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology 0-16 Cavan Institute 2-8
Eamon O’Boyle’s team chugged to a one-point win and were made sweat on a day when they ought to have ran out more comfortable victors.
But a goal from Cian McKeon, Cavan’s most dangerous threat, in the 37th minute meant that Cavan were able to hang to the Letterkenny coat-tails for the remainder of the contest.
When McKeon drilled a second past Conor Tinney three minutes from the end, they were tugging even harder, but LyIT did just enough.
[adrotate group=”87″]Letterkenny retreated somewhat after having a bright start, but five points by Daire McDaid and four from Donegal senior panelist Darach O’Connor helped the hosts to stumble past the winning post.
After a win over Dundalk last week and an opening day loss to Coleraine, it means that LyIT have won two from three and are well placed.
By the 10th minute, they were off like an express train, with five early points giving them a solid platform.
Daire McDaid curled over a free for the game’s opening point before O’Connor – who returned to action this summer from a lengthy cruciate lay-off – reeled off three in quick succession.
Michael Lynch teed up Caolan McDaid for a fifth Letterkenny point and, even though Pearse Dolan thumped wide after Cavan were allowed work the ball in from the right, LyIT always seemed in control.
A McKeon free did get the Cavan students off the mark in the 12th minute, but Enda McCormick weaved his way in to stretch the lead before two wonderful scores by Daire McDaid opened the gap to seven.
There was a moment of panic in the Letterkenny rearguard when Dolan beat Conor Tinney, the LyIT goalkeeper, to a high ball, but the big midfielder batted into the side netting.
Tinney came to the rescue moments later with a strong save to deny Dolan, although the subsequent ’45 was drilled over by McKeon.
[adrotate group=”76″]Luke Molloy hooked over from distance despite an awkward angle, but Willie Gillespie, from Daire McDaid’s off-load, was able to jink inside for a clever point and give LyIT a 0-9 to 0-4 lead at the break.
McKeon’s goal gave Cavan real hope and they had eroded the deficit in to two and Letterkenny seemed on the ropes, but Connall O’Boyle got up to stead the wobbles.
O’Boyle, after some patient play by the home side, tapped over after George Wall poked through for a score that was looking as if it would tip the scales in his team’s favour.
Letterkenny were laboured in their play for much of the second half, but they could – and should – have been awarded a penalty in the 49th minute when O’Connor was pulled down.
[adrotate group=”87″]McKeon really had the home side paling water from the vessle late on, but they had enough about them to see it out, even if it was a touch more nervy that they might have wished.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology: Conor Tinney; Fiontann O’Flynn, Jack Scally, Daniel Lyons; Connall O’Boyle (0-1), Peter McLaughlin, James McSharry; Michael Lynch, Caoimhinn Marley; Willie Gillespie (0-1), Darach O’Connor (0-4), Enda McCormick (0-2); Jack Quinn, Daire McDaid (0-5, 2f), Caolan McDaid (0-2). Subs: John McDyer for Scally (20), Donnachadh Kindlon for Lyons (half-time).
Cavan Institute: Ruairi Coyne; Alpha Ike, Fergal McKenna, Daryl Buckley; Seanue Lynam, George Wall (0-1), Cillian Gallagher; James Smith, Pearse Dolan; Luke Molloy (0-2), Cian McKeon (2-4, 3f, 1 ‘45), Daragh Doherty; Matthew Tully, Derek Doyle, Cathal Moran (0-1).
Referee: Michael Mulhern (St Eunan’s).
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