Cavan 1-12 Louth 2-7: Dermot McCabe was Cavan's trump card in an incident-packed All-Ireland football qualifier at Navan's Páirc Tailteann last night which had some well-taken scores, two penalties and, at the interval, a male streaker.
McCabe, who played at full forward instead of his customary midfield berth, sent over six points, four of them coming from play. In contrast Louth did not have a leader of that calibre and it proved the difference between the sides.
Two points from Gerald Pierson gave the Ulster side the perfect start and they were only briefly headed in the second quarter. Larry Reilly was another important contributor for Cavan, who overcame the loss of centre back Peter Reilly who was forced to retire injured midway through the first half.
Cavan goalkeeper James Reilly was forced to leave the action after saving a penalty from Mark Stanfield after 25 minutes. Paddy Keenan followed up to knock the loose ball to the net to leave Louth leading by 1-4 to 0-6.
However, Cavan recovered and three points from McCabe and one by Paul Brady left them ahead by 0-10 to 1-4 at the break when one of their supporters took centre stage.
On the restart McCabe blazed wide from a great goaling position but 11 minutes into the second half the former All Star launched a delivery from which Larry Reilly finished to the net.
It was all happening and three minutes later Louth were awarded a dubious penalty when Stanfield appeared to take a tumble before getting up to blast past substitute goalkeeper Aaron Donohue.
After that Nicky McDonnell hit the butt of an upright for the second Sunday in a row and that was as close as Louth got to getting on terms as a more polished Cavan side deservedly advanced.
CAVAN: J Reilly; C Collins, T Prior, J Jordan; A Forde, P Reilly, M McKeever; P McKenna, Pat Brady; S Brady, L Reilly (1-3), Paul Brady (0-1); F O'Reilly, D McCabe (0-6, three frees), G Pierson (0-2). Subs: M Hannon for P Reilly (18 mins); A Donohue for James Reilly (27); P Galligan for S Brady; Jason Reilly for Pierson (both 55); J Clarke for Paul Brady (65).
LOUTH: S Reynolds; S Gerard, A Hoey, D Brennan; J Clerkin, P McGinnity, J Neary; M Farrelly, K Reilly; P Keenan (1-0), O McDonnell, N McDonnell (0-3); D Reid, JP Rooney (0-3, frees), M Stanfield (1-1). Subs: CO'Hanlon for Reid (65), B Clarke for Neary (66).
Referee: C Broderick (Down).
Down crushed Armagh by a massive 2-14 to 0-6 in yesterday's Ulster minor football championship quarter-final at Casement Park. Down led by 1-6 to 0-3 at half-time and a second half of total dominance by the winners blotted out Armagh's hopes.
