Cavan 3-14 Down 1-8: CAVAN advanced to the next stage of this competition after an easy victory at Kingspan-Breffni Park last night. Down scored in the first and second minutes through Paul McPolin and Paul Devlin (free), but after that they were totally overwhelmed.

With David Givney and Gearóid McKiernan dominant in midfield, the home forwards were gifted an abundance of possession.

Cavan were in turbo-charged mode early on and goals by Declan McKiernan (third minute) and Conor McClarey (25th) had their opponents reeling, and they raced to a 2-7 to 0-2 interval lead.

Cavan coasted home as substitute Michael O’Reilly blasted the ball to the net on the hour mark to render Christy Duggan’s late goal meaningless.

CAVAN: M Smith; P Carroll, R Dunne, D Tighe; D Graham, J McEnroe, T Reilly; G McKiernan (0-2), D Givney (0-2); N Smith, N McDermott (0-4, two frees), B Reilly (0-1); B Fitzpatrick, D McKiernan (1-3, one free), C McClarey (1-1). Subs; B Murray (0-1) for J McEnroe (inj 41 mins); C Smith for N Smith (46); S Tierney for D McKiernan (52); M O’Reilly (1-0) for B Reilly (56).

DOWN: K Gordon; R McGovern, D Turley, O Costello; C Poland, M Higgins, D O’Hagan (0-1); A McArdle, R Digney; P Devlin (0-3, all frees), C Harrison, B Kane; J Connolly, E Toner (0-1), P McPolin (0-2). Subs: B O’Reilly for C Harrison, C Duggan (1-1) for A McArdle (both half-time); G McAnulty for B Kane (35 mins); A McConville for J Connolly (45); M Magee for P Devlin (52).

Referee: F Cleary (Fermanagh).