In Pictures: Cavan's Four-in-a-Row
In Pictures: Cavan's Four-in-a-Row
On Wednesday night, Cavan became only the second team (after Tyrone 2000-2003) to win four Ulster U21 titles in a row.
A late goal from Liam Buchanan completed their incredible winning streak at U21 level in the province, which now stretches to 13 games. They face Leinster champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday, April 20.
Here, we look back at some defining images from Cavan's incredible run at U21 level from 2011-2014.
Main image: Cavan hoist the trophy above their fans at Brewster Park, April 2012
April 13, 2011: Without an UIster U21 title since 1996, Cavan came to the 2011 final full of confidence. Led by captain Gearóid McKiernan (Swanlinbar), the Breffni Blues faced a Tyrone side captained by Peter Harte in Enniskillen.
April 13, 2011: Having been beaten in the 2010 decider at the hands of Donegal, Cavan were determined to go one further in 2011, and Niall Murray's goal after just 12 seconds was a blow Tyrone never really recovered from. As Gearóid McKiernan carried the Irish News Cup around the field afterwards, Cavan fans were reminded of what it felt like to win again, while a new generation of supporters savoured an Ulster win for the first time.
April 13, 2011: The 2011 team's win ended a dreadful period in Cavan's footballing history, best consigned to the history books. They had struggled hugely at minor, U21 and senior level from the mid 2000s on. But everything changed in 2011.
April 16, 2011: Cavan were in action again just three days later in the All-Ireland semi-final against Wexford, but they showed no signs of rustiness as they recorded a 1-10 to 0-8 win. Niall McDermott (pictured) scored their goal.
May 1, 2011: The reward was an All-Ireland final against Galway at Croke Park. The game was played as a curtain raiser to the Allianz Hurling League final between Dublin and Kilkenny, ensuring a large crowd at Headquarters. Unsurprisingly, Cavan brought a huge support to Croke Park - youthful Cavan town natives Gary O'Rourke, left, and Oisin Kelly, were among the many excited Breffni supporters with dreams of All-Ireland glory.
May 1, 2011: But Cavan's dreams were quickly shattered as the Tribesmen blew them away with an unanswered 2-7 in the first 20 minutes. In the end it finished Galway 2-16 Cavan 1-9, but Cavan were never in the game.
May 1, 2011: Nonetheless, a flame had been lit. The astute management of Terry Hyland (above) had started something special in Cavan. A winning culture was established, and just two months later, the Cavan minors ended a 37-year wait for an Ulster title with victory in the final over Armagh. Three years later, that generation would go on to win Ulster U21 medals, completing the four-in-a-row.
April 11, 2012: Cavan reached the Ulster final again in 2012, with Tyrone their opponents once more. Cavan were boosted by the presence of a number of the 2011 minor team, such as Killian Clarke, Conor Moynagh, Joe Dillon and Dara McVeety.
April 11, 2012: The scoreline was the exact same as 2011 - Cavan 1-10 Tyrone 0-10. For Michael Brady, Conor Moynagh and Barry Reilly, this picture is one they will treasure.
April 21, 2012: Unfortunately for Cavan though, there was more pain in the All-Ireland series. Colin Compton's late goal for Roscommon ended Cavan's hopes in the All-Ireland semi-final in Longford, which finished Roscommon 2-7 Cavan 2-2.
April 10, 2013: But an increasingly vibrant GAA scene in Cavan continued to produce winning teams. Cavan reached a fourth consecutive Ulster U21 final the following spring, with Donegal their opponents.
April 10, 2013: Donegal had star names in the likes of Ryan McHugh (pictured) and Patrick McBrearty, but Cavan had a lot of experienced players, Turloc Mooney among them (above), and they made it three wins in a row in Ulster.
April 10, 2013: The final score was Cavan 0-13 Donegal 1-6. Cavan had a potent midfield partnership that year, Michael Argue and Brian Sankey (above), both of whom were on the 2011 minor team. All the pieces were coming together.
April 10, 2013: By now, Terry Hyland was the Cavan senior boss, having won two U21 Ulster titles during his time in charge of the team. He was replaced by Peter Reilly, himself an U21 All-Ireland winner with Cavan in 1996.
April 20, 2013: Cavan faced Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final in Tullamore. Cork had won three Munster U21 titles in a row themselves and proved to be difficult opponents for Cavan. Above, Killian Clarke battles with Cork's Luke Connolly.
April 20, 2013: For the third year in a row, Cavan missed out on All-Ireland glory. It was a tough moment to take for Paul Graham (above). Cavan lost 1-11 to 0-15, but missed a difficult late chance from a free which would have taken the game to extra-time.
March 12, 2014: Cavan had an extremely difficult draw in the 2014 Ulster U21 Championship - it began a month ago, with a preliminary round clash away to Derry in Celtic Park. Cavan won convincingly, 3-10 to 0-12, with Dara McVeety (above) performing superbly on the night.
March 19, 2014: The following Wednesday, Cavan were under the lights at Kingspan Breffni Park and made it 11 wins in a row at Ulster U21 level with a 1-11 to 0-6 victory over Tyrone. Tyrone couldn't cope with Cavan's energy and hunger, exemplified above by Barry Fortune.
April 2, 2014: Two weeks later, Monaghan were the opponents in the Ulster semi-final. Michael Argue's goal (pictured above) settled a drab affair in wet conditions, which Cavan won 1-7 to 0-4.
April 9, 2014: With time almost up in Wednesday's final, Cavan's four-in-a-row dream looked to be all but over. Donegal were outplaying Cavan all over the field, and led by two with two minutes left. However, Liam Buchanan's goal dramatically changed the game, and Cavan hit three more points before the end to take a 2-6 to 0-8 win.
April 9, 2014: For McVeety and Moynagh, this remarkably was a fourth Ulster medal (three U21 and one minor) in the space of three years. The only Cavan player to start all four of those finals is Killian Clarke. There are no players who were on all four U21 winning teams.
April 9, 2014: Wednesday's win added to an already familiar feeling for Cavan supporters. The big question remains however - Can Cavan now press on and win an All-Ireland?
By Arthur Sullivan
