Cavan 1-11 Donegal 1-10: Cavan, who only a week ago had been beaten by 21 points by Tyrone, threw the formbook out the window by dumping a highly-rated Donegal out of the championship yesterday.
Cavan may not have attained full potential in a victory based on a blistering, wind-assisted first-half display, but for the first time this year they played with verve and imagination.
The crushing defeat by Tyrone the previous Saturday, not to mention a humiliating experience in a midweek match against the county club champions, Cavan Gaels, did not deter the home side from conjuring up a notable success over Brian McEniff's men.
They used wind advantage well in the first half to at least undermine Donegal confidence, taking a 1-6 to 0-2 interval lead.
Then, when the elements favoured the pumped-up home team in the second half - the wind dying down and ceasing to be of any significance - Cavan were defiant as Donegal's attempt to wipe out the arrears began in earnest.
No one more than James Reilly in the Cavan goal was instrumental in Donegal's failure to succeed. Cavan's last man in defence made two stunning saves during the final quarter.
Brendan Devenney, Donegal's top scorer, set up Colm McFadden for a clear goal chance with the score at 1-11 to 1-7, but Reilly read the corner forward's shot and brought off a vital block.
A few minutes later, with the score at 1-11 to 1-8, Peter Reilly's foot trip on a goalbound Conal Dunne, a late substitute, prompted Longford referee Eugene Murtagh to instantly award the penalty. Devenney's spot kick was stopped by Reilly.
Devenney had two points subsequently, the last at the death, four minutes into time added on, to reduce the margin to the minimum, but time had run out for McEniff's men.
"There was far too much importance placed on that scoreline against Tyrone," said stand-in Cavan manager Martin McElkennon, adding, "We were not as bad as that and I have emphasised this point ever since that defeat to the players."
The extremely satisfied McElkennon said he was very proud of his players and that they had finally done themselves justice.
Whenever Donegal threatened to get within a goal of Cavan's tally in the second half the home side managed an insurance point either from Finbar Reilly or Larry Reilly.
McEniff commented: "Our forwards in the opening half were very disappointing and the Cavan goal was a huge blow to us."
Larry Reilly slotted that goal after 20 minutes for a 1-4 to 0-1 lead. "We didn't underestimate Cavan," claimed McEniff, who added: "They were sharp and their goalkeeper was on his game to deny us of crucial goals".
James Reilly also had sound workers in front of him in Anthony Forde at centre back, Martin Cahill and Peter Reilly in the wing back positions.
CAVAN: J Reilly; M Hannon, D Rabbitt, P O'Reilly; M Cahill, A Forde (0-1), P Reilly; D McCabe, P McKenna; M McKeever (0-1 free), N Walsh, F O'Reilly (0-6, three frees and a 45); L Reilly (1-2). J O'Reilly (0-1), M Grehan, Subs: M Lyng for Grehan (45 mins), P Brady for McCabe (72 mins), S Johnston for L Reilly (74 mins).
DONEGAL: M Boyle; E McGee, R Sweeney, K Lacey; D Diver, B Monaghan, S Carr; S McDermott, N Gallagher; C Toye, M Hegarty, B Roper (0-1); C McFadden (0-3, frees), A Sweeney (0-1), B Devenney (1-5, two pointed frees). Subs: C Dunne for Sweeney (45 mins), M Smith for Monaghan (55 mins), G Maguire for Roper (65 mins).
Referee: E Murtagh (Longford).
