Ruairi Biggs goal sends Derry Minors to victory over Cavan at Owenbeg

Derry 1-8

Cavan 1-5

Derry opened their Championship campaign with a hard fought win over a battling Cavan at Owenbeg.

Ruairi Biggs' 43rd minute goal proved the key score for the winners in a contest played in the thick of Storm Kathleen.

Derry ran in four to the good at the break, but backed by that hugely partisan wind Cavan were still well in the contest at the half way stage.

It was fully ten minutes into the fray before Ger Dillon curled over the opening score for Derry. Captain James Sargent and Dylan Rocks from distance stretched the home side three up as both sides toiled with the disruptive conditions.

Cavan, living off scraps with their goalkeeper Cian McConnell battling manfully against the storm with his kick outs, put the cat among the pigeons when they drew level with a goal in the 17th minute. Derry defender Ronan Canavan fouled Tadgh Sheils in the box with Shane McCabe slotting home the resulting penalty.

Derry continued to dominate, however, and raced back into the lead through points from Eamon Young, and a pair of clinkers from Caomhin Hargan and Turlough McHugh.

Ger Dillon’s blasted over his second of the half after a sweeping Derry move that really should have culminated in a goal. But it all added up to a 0-7 to 1-0 Derry lead.

Backed by the wind, Cavan began the second half brightly but Ruairi Biggs goal midway through the half punctured their hopes. The reigning league winners had enough nous to hold out for a three point win.

Teams and Scorers

Scorers: Derry – R Biggs (1-1), G Dillon (0-2), J Sargent, T McHugh, E Young, C Hargan and D Rocks 0-1 each.

Cavan – S McCabe (1-0), N Quigley (0-3, 3fs), O Madden (0-2)

Derry: M Conlon, P O’Kane, R Canavan, R Collins, K B Mullan, L Grant, D McGuckin, J Sargent, T McHugh, E Young, G Dillon, C Hargan, G McIvor, R Biggs, D Rocks

Subs: C O’Mainain for P O’Kane (49), C McBride for G McIvor (57)

Cavan: C McConnell, O Maguire, C Doyle, F Brady, S McCabe, C McCrystal, S Macken, R Nwaneri, J Clarke, T Sheils, J Shehu, O Madden, T Gilsenan, T Flood, F Graham

Subs: C Fallon for S McCabe (HT), N Quigley for T Flood (HT), A Metlovas for S Macken (39), B Hanly for C McCrystal (44), U O’Reilly for T Sheils (52)