Martin Dunne retains possession despite being up ended by Armagh's Ciaran McKeever.

Damian McCarney

Cavan's hopes of making it through to the semi-final of the Dr McKenna Cup were dealt a fatal blow last night as Down overcame Armagh on Wednesday night.

Having beaten Armagh by four points last weekend, Cavan had hoped Armagh could do them a favour and beat Down by less than seven points, enabling the Breffni men to progress as section B winners on points difference. However, last night at Pairc Esler the Mournemen secured a four-point win over Armagh (2-11 to 1-10). Down now face Section A winners, Monaghan in the first of this Sunday's (January 20) Dr McKenna Cup semi-final double-header at the Athletics Grounds, Armagh.

Cavan's next competitive match will be their Division 3, National League opener, away to Antrim on February 3.