Despite leading by six points 10 minutes into the second half, Cavan had to rely on a Dermot McCabe goal six minutes from the end to secure victory over Waterford at Dungarvan yesterday. The visitors led by 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time but they could have been in a better position had they taken their chances.

The first of the Cavan goals came in the 45th minute when Larry Reilly found the net. Despite being six points in arrears Waterford threw down the gauntlet to their more illustrious opponents, scoring 1-3 without reply in a nine minute period to draw level.

Waterford took the lead in the 28th minute of the second half when Emmet Doherty converted a penalty after Colin Keane was fouled.

Two points separated the sides when McCabe found the net and substitute Raphael Rogers kicked an insurance point three minutes later.

CAVAN: J Reilly; P Kermath, T Farrelly, Finbar Reilly; Brendan Morris, P Shiels, B Lynch; F Hartin, P Smith; E Reilly (0-2), P Reilly (0-3), Fergus Reilly; M Graham, D McCabe (1-2), C Collins. Subs: L Reilly (1-1) for Finbar Reilly; F Cahill for Hartin; A Curran (0-1) for Fergus Reilly; R Rogers (0-2) for Collins.

WATERFORD: K Cotter; D Lyons, M Fitzgerald, D Ryan; M Kiely, L Hurney, K Whelan; K O'Keeffe, M Ahern (0-1); Gary Hurney (0-1), C Keane, D Wheeelan; E Doherty (1-5), J Kiely (1-1), S Barron. Subs: R Hennessy (0-1) for Gary Hurney; K Coffey for Lyons; Gary Hurney for D Whelan; P Power for Barron.

Referee: N Cooney (Offaly).