Cavan 2-16

Down 4-6

CAVAN qualified for the final of the Ned Devine's Knockout championship against Leitrim courtesy of this four point win over a game but over matched Down squad in the final game of Sunday's card.

The win came from an overpowering first half display when Cavan recovered from a Gary Cornyn goal for Down, and they quickly had a Brian Newman goal that preceded seven points to Down's one over the remaining 20 minutes of the first half.

Kevin McGeeney had three of those scores as he played in his second game of the afternoon, and he was fantastic in the middle of the park. Kevin Smith was having an impressive day at his new slot of center back, and he was picking up timely clearances repeatedly.

Kevin Anderson and Sean Munnelly were two of the few Down players who were making any inroads into the Cavan defense, and Anderson had the free in reply but it was a Cavan 1-9 to 1-2 lead at the break.

The teams swapped points to open the second half before Declan Fitzpatrick was on the end of a Shane King pass for the second Cavan goal. It shook Down from their doldrums and they had their best period of the game.

A goal from Munnelly was followed by a pair of points from Anderson, and Munnelly again that offset a Declan Fitz free. After a McGeeney point Seamus Kelly linked with Liam Farrell and Paul Higgins and had Down's fourth goal to make the score 2-12 to 4-5. A one point slim advantage for Cavan.

They reacted to the possibility that the game would get away from them in the best possible fashion. Four of the last five points of the game were scored by the Breffni Boys, and they more than had enough in reserve to get the win.

Cavan: 1 Martin O'Connor, 2 Michael Smith, 4 Tadgh Lynne, 5 Justin O'Halloran, 6 Kevin Smith, 7 Alan Carolan, 8 Derek Smith, 9 Kevin McGeeney (0-4), 10 Shane King (0-2), 11 Declan Fitzpatrick (1-3), 12 Paddy Smith (0-2), 13 Brian Newman (1-2), 15 Cathal McGinn (0-2). Sub: Derek Williams (0-1).

Down: 1 Sean Kelly, 2 Brian Murray, 4 Eugene O'Hagan, 5 Barry Annette, 6 David McGreevy, 7 Gary Cornyn (1-0), 8 Sean Munnelly (0-1), 9 Kevin Anderson (0-3), 10 Mark Dobbins, 11 Paddy Sloan (1-0), 12 Seamus Kelly (1-0), 13 Liam Farrell (0-1), 15 Fergal Shannon (1-1).

Referee: John Fitzpatrick (Rockland).

Man of the match: Kevin Smith (Cavan).