Cavan 0-15 Down 1-17

DOWN booked their spot in the semi-final of the Tailteann Cup with a five point victory in Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday afternoon.

Danny Magill’s 68^th goal sealed the deal for Conor Laverty’s side, who led for the majority of the game.

Both teams utilised the mark to great effect in the opening quarter with the first four points, two apiece, coming through long balls to the square.

Down mixed their game plan beautifully, retreating 15 men behind the ball when out of possession but spreading long kick passes into the likes of Pat Havern and Odhran Murdock.

And when that wasn’t on, they had plenty of pace to break the lines with the likes of Ceilum Doherty, Liam Kerr and Ryan Johnston all bursting through at different times.

Cavan’s main scoring threat was Oisin Brady, while Gearoid McKiernan spent most of his afternoon on the edge of the square, shadowed by Pierce Laverty.

Brady could have had a goal after firing a shot low to the bottom left-hand corner, but Down netminder Niall Kane dived to the rescue and pulled off a super save.

Down led for most of the opening period, with a brilliant Rory Mason effort from the sideline the score of the day.

That put Down three up, but Cavan reduced the gap before the break with a wonderful Oisin Kiernan score to settle the half. Down 0-9 Cavan 0-7.

Padraig Faulkner carried the fight for the hosts with a point and an assist at the start of the second half to tie the game.

But anytime Cavan got back on level terms, Down would edge ahead and Magill’s major put the result beyond doubt.

Cavan scorers: Oisin Brady 0-8 (6f), Padraig Faulkner 0-2, Oisin Kiernan 0-1, Cian Madden 0-1, Tiarnan Madden 0-1, Brandon Boylan 0-1, Gearoid McKiernan 0-1 (1f).

Down scorers: Pat Havern 0-5 (4f), Danny Magill 1-1, Liam Kerr 0-4, Rory Mason 0-4 (1f), Ryan Johnston 0-1, Patrick McCarthy 0-1, Shane Annett 0-1.