Cavan's season over after 11-point loss to Dublin

All-Ireland SFC

Dublin 1-24

Cavan 0-16

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Cavan’s brave effort faded badly in the final quarter as Dublin finished with 1-3 without reply to run out 11-point winners at Kingspan Breffni.

The home side competed strongly in a high-octane first half, leading by two points after 28 minutes and trailing by just one at the interval, 0-13 to 0-12, but Dublin’s greater class and composure eventually told. Cavan will rue their 11 wides but the Dubs also fluffed a number of goal chances and were the better side overall.

Con O’Callaghan was outstanding for the visitors, kicking a series of superb scores before burying a late penalty to put a ruthless gloss on the scoreboard, with Niall Scully also shining in his playmaker role.

Cavan started brightly despite registering five wides in the first quarter. Cormac Costello opened the scoring for Dublin but Gerry Smith, one of Cavan’s stand-out performers, released Paddy Lynch to level and Smith then kicked a fine point after Jason McLoughlin won the break from the restart.

Emmanuel Shehu made it 0-3 to 0-1 before Dublin settled with points from Charlie McMorrow, Paddy Small and Costello. The visitors moved 0-6 to 0-3 ahead through Scullt after a Cavan kick-out was intercepted and O’Callaghan looked certain to find the net - but Cavan responded impressively.

Shehu clipped over his second, Gerry Smith added another after Dublin stood off him and then Conor Brady landed a two-pointer to tie the game at 0-7 each. Moments later, after Cavan forced a turnover, Brady drove forward and Lynch nailed a huge two-pointer from play to put Cavan 0-9 to 0-7 in front.

The bumper crowd of 14,486 were in full voice at this juncture but O’Callaghan responded in kind with a two-pointer of his own and Dublin edged back ahead.

Darragh Lovett and Tiarnan Madden both registered as Cavan led 0-12 to 0-10 after 28 minutes.

Dublin, though, finished the half strongly. O’Callaghan almost carried their attack on his own at times and his free levelled the game before Lee Gannon fisted over with the last play of the half.

Cavan struggled to regain that rhythm after the restart. Lynch hit the upright and Dublin missed goal chances through Howard and Small before Gannon eventually stretched the lead to two.

Lynch replied in the 43rd minute but Dublin began to find space. Ross McGarry, introduced early in the second half, kicked two points and might have had a goal, while Cavan’s wides and dropped efforts began to mount.

Shehu’s lovely score after an interception from home captain Ciaran Brady – who emptied the tank for Dermot McCabe’s men - kept Cavan within two, 0-16 to 0-14, but Dublin then pulled away. Colm Basquel and Small pushed the margin out before Gerry Smith’s point briefly gave Cavan hope.

That was as close as they got. McGarry forced a fine save from Liam Brady, the ball going over for a point, and Dublin finished with authority.

Sub Sean Guiden and Basquel – who had replaced the injured Cormac Costello 20 minutes in – chipped over scores before O’Callaghan crashed a penalty into the top corner after Brían O’Connell was adjudged to have fouled Basquel.

O’Callaghan added the final point as Dublin, having been tested for long stretches, finished strongly, although their overall performance was sloppy.

The loss means Cavan exit the championship, finishing the year with just two wins, against Offaly and Kildare in the league, and eight losses. The Dubs, meanwhile, march on, not outstanding but, after quite a journey this season, still standing all the same.

Cavan: Liam Brady, Paddy Meade, Brían O’Connell, Jensen Tynan, Gerard Smith (0-3), Ciaran Brady, Jason McLoughlin, Conor Brady (0-2, 2pt), Ryan Donohoe, Tiarnan Madden (0-2, 1f), Niall Carolan, Emmanuel Shehu (0-3), Barry Donnelly, Patrick Lynch (0-5, 2pt), Darragh Lovett (0-1)

Subs: Oisin Brady for B Donnelly (43), Dara McVeety for R Donohoe (52), Cormac Brady for J Tynan (60), Cian Madden for D Lovett, Ryan Tobin for J McLoughlin (both 65)

Dublin: Evan Comerford, Greg McEneaney, Nathan Doran, David Byrne, Sean McMahon, Charlie McMorrow (0-1), Lee Gannon (0-2), Theo Clancy, Brian Howard, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Con O’Callaghan (1-9, 2pt, 1-0 pen, 2f) , Niall Scully (0-1), Paddy Small (0-3), Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello (0-2, 1f)

Subs: Colm Basquel (0-2) for C Costello (20), Ross McGarry (0-3) for G McEneaney (39), Eoin Kennedy for B Howard (48), Sean Guiden (0-1) for P Small (62), Tim Deering for L Gannon (67)

Ref: Liam Devenney (Mayo)