Cavan came away with a really hard fought win over a very, very determined Warwickshire.
Cavan opened up their Lory Meagher cup campaign with a 1-12 to 2-13 victory writes Damien Donohoue.
The game started off with two points for the visitors through David Devine and Kevin McCarran would. Converting 80 meters frees in very windy conditions.
Nikki Kenny replied for the hosts, but points from McCarran and Ian O'Dwyer a last minute edition to the starting line-up put Warwickshire four points to one ahead on eight mnutes.
Cavan settled into the game. A 68-meter free from Nikki Kenny and points from Jack Bury and a Liam O'Brien free after a foul on Thomas Leonard left the score at four point’s a-piece on 13 minutes.
Nikki Kenny cross-field ball found David Carnie. However, goalkeeper Connor Cummins pulled off a really good save to deny Cavan the first gold.
A Kenny 65 put Cavan ahead for the first time on 15 minutes. Matthew Hines blew a goal chance as Cavan looked like they were taking control of the game.
Sean Keating at corner-forward finished the match with five points. The first of those came on 18 minutes.
Jack Grealish replied two minutes later making it five points to six. However, the Breffni took control for the next six minutes. Sean Keating, a Nikki Kenny 65 and a Thomas Leonard good point had Cavan clear.
Cavan pushing clear
The hosts extended their lead out to five with 25 exciting minutes played in the first-half. However, Warwickshire came back into the game.
Luke Hand the big strong corner-forward sent over the first of five scores in-a-row with Jordan Conway, Ian Dwyer, Jack Grealish and David Devine levelled the sides on 34 minutes.
The ball dropped short towards the 13-metre line Luke Hand stuck the ball into the back of the Cavan net to give Warwickshire a three point advantage at half-time.
Cavan came out all guns blazing after break. Nikki Kenny stole the goal straight away after Sean Keating set him up for a close range shot to level the sides on the first minute of the second-half.
Two brilliant points from Keating put Cavan into a two point advantage. However, Warwickshire bounced back. Jack Grealish with a goal following in a rebound off Nile Clarke save.
Warwickshire were back in the lead with two goals in ten minutes. Cavan replied with a Nikki Kenny free but Jordan Conway replied. Cavan took control Nikki Kenny with three points including one from free.
A Mark Moffit point pushed the Breffni 1-20 points to two goals and 12 points.
Warwickshire brought it back to a one point game. However, the hosts pushed oninto closing eight minutes Nikki Kenny with a free that he won himself in the 31st minute
Liam O'Brien superb 80-meter free made it 1-19 to 2-13. A point each from Sean Keating and Mark Moffit sealed the Cavan win running out 1-21 to 2-13 winners.
Elsewhere, Longford eased past Lancashire in their opening game. Whereas, Leitrim fell to Fermanagh.
