In Focus Cavan: Eamonn Coleman's decision to throw three new faces into the fray at half-time in Sunday's Ulster championship replay proved to be the crucial factor in Cavan's victory over Down. The reward for producing two remarkable comebacks over the two matches is a semi-final tie against Armagh on June 13th.

Of the three replacements, Dermot McCabe played a massive part. The Gowna man had a hand in all the good work during the second half and scored one of the three goals.

Also, Cavan didn't seem unsettled by the dismissal of Larry Reilly in the 51st minute.

"At that stage Down were leading by six points but we had turned the tide," explained Coleman. "We were beginning to dominate all over the park. In every area you could see it.

"The three subs played a big part but it was the appetite of our players that made the difference. There was much more bite from them (in the second half). The full-forward line hadn't been winning the ball in the first half but that changed."

McCabe's presence on the edge of the square was the decisive factor. Unfortunately for Cavan, Coleman does not think McCabe will be able to put Armagh's full-back line to the test from the outset.

"He's not okay and not fit to play a full game yet. It may take a couple of months. The knee injury first happened in the league match against Sligo (in February) and again against Limerick, so the weaknesses were there all along."

Coleman believes the manner in which his side beat Down was largely down to superior fitness.

"We lifted our game but I also thought we were much fitter than Down especially in the last 10 minutes. They kicked two points in the final 16 minutes, while we got 11 points. A lot of credit must go to our fitness trainer Martin McElkennon and of course the players."

Whether this is the start of a epic journey is unclear but Cavan have shown they certainly have the stomach for pressure-cooker situations. The only problem is the temperature is about to rise to a whole new level.