Coulter goal helps Down beat Cavan
Down 1-13 Cavan 0-11
It is first blood to Down in the Ulster SFC as a second-half goal from captain Benny Coulter saw them win out at Casement Park.
Injury-hit Cavan put up a brave fight with DCU’s Sigerson Cup star Seanie Johnston landing six points, but Coulter’s 55th-minute goal and corner forward Michael Walsh’s five-point haul were decisive in sending Down through to a June 4 clash with Donegal.
Johnston hit a late free to level matters at 0-06 apiece after a lively first half.
With his side 0-09 to 0-08 in front, Coulter slipped in ahead of Cavan stopper James Reilly to palm home his goal.
Johnston kicked the next three points but scores from subs Ronan Murtagh and Ronan Sexton, Walsh and Dan Hughes closed out the win for the Mourne men, who had midfielder Dan Gordon sent off for a second yellow card, right on 70 minutes.
