Donegal made it three wins in-a-row in the Dr McKenna Cup when they defeated Cavan yesterday afternoon in Ballyshannon.

The win guarantees them a semi-final spot, probably against Down, although it now depends on the outcome of the final game in the other group between Tyrone and UUJ on Wednesday.

Donegal were in control for most of the game and were only behind on one occasion when Nicholas Walsh scored the only goal of the match early in the second half.

The second half also saw both sides reduced to 14 men - Eamon Doherty of Donegal and Darren Rabbit of Cavan were red carded for separate offences.

The greater accuracy of Donegal, and especially Brendan Devenney, was the telling difference between the sides.

DONEGAL: S Sweeney; N McGinley, R Sweeney, D Diver; S Carr, B Monaghan, E. Doherty; P McGonigle (0-1), S McDermott; R Kavanagh, M Hegarty (0-1), B Roper (0-2); J McCafferty (0-1), A Sweeney (0-2, two frees), B Devenney (0-7, six frees). Subs: B McLaughlin for Kavanagh; D McNamara for McDermott; M McGinty for McCafferty; P Campbell for McLaughlin.

CAVAN: E Elliott; S Smith, D Rabbitt, R Donoghue; K Crotty, T Crowe, M Brides; C Collins, P McKenna; A Forde (0-1, free), T Farrelly (0-1), S Brady (0-3, two frees); J Reilly (0-1), N Walsh (1-1), M McKeever. Subs: R Galligan for Brides; S Maguire for Farrelly; A Coleman for J Reilly; P O'Dowd for Elliott.

Referee: D Ward (Monaghan).