Cavan surprise Donegal
Cavan 1-11 Donegal 1-10
Cavan clung on to shock Donegal and secure only their second win in seven All-Ireland SFC qualifier outings since 2001.
Having wilted so noticeably against Tyrone in the Ulster SFC semi-final, the Breffni men, spurred on again by stand-in boss Marty McElkennon, began brightly at Breffni Park and stunned Donegal for a 1-6 to 0-2 half-time advantage.
Finbarr O'Reilly, who ended the tie with 0-6, bagged three frees for the home side in an opening half, which was sprung into life midway through.
Larry Reilly was played in on 19 minutes for an inspirational Cavan goal. Jason Reilly mopped up and fed Mark McKeever who evaded his marker to put Reilly through for a neat finish and a 1-4 to 0-1 buffer.
Brian Roper had sent over a point from play for Donegal by that stage, but all Brian McEniff's men could add in the interim was a Colm McFadden free.
Brendan Devenney, who helped a tired-looking Donegal edge past Wicklow last weekend, struck for a goal on 45 minutes.
Strangely enough the Tir Chonaill men got back to within three points of Cavan with inspirational skipper Barry Monaghan and All-star forward Adrian Sweeney subbed off.
The visitors were thrown a lifeline with two minutes remaining, but there was to be no denying McElkennon's men as 'keeper James Reilly saved Deevnney's penalty hit.
Peter Reilly had tripped Conal Dunne for the spot-kick award.
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