Cavan 1-19
Antrim 1-11

Cavan turned a four-point interval deficit into an eight-point victory as they finished like a train at Kingspan Breffni Park to qualify for the Ulster MFC final.

A memorable weekend for Antrim football looked to be on the cards when Odhran Eastwood's 27th minute goal helped them to a 1-6 to 0-5 lead at the break. They continued to hold a four-point lead early in the second half, but the hosts then suddenly caught fire and powered to a facile win.

With Conor Small in fine form from placed balls, the visitors had established a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the ninth minute. Shane Moynagh - who was black-carded in the 20th minute - got one back for Cavan, only for Brendan Corr to restore the Saffrons' three-point advantage.

Two points from David Brady reduced the gap before Eastwood's major propelled Antrim five clear, 1-6 to 0-4. David Wilson replied to leave four in it at half-time.

Further scores from Small (two frees) and sub Gerard Walsh kept the Saffrons four clear, 1-9 to 0-8, before the home side finally clicked. Six points on the trot, including some excellent long-range efforts by Brady, saw them take the lead for the first time at the end of the third quarter.

Antrim went nearly 20 minutes without scoring as the Breffni boys finished with a flourish. Robbie Fitzpatrick applied the coup de grace with a late goal to seal their place in the provincial decider against either Donegal or Derry.

Cavan - F O'Rourke; P O'Reilly, D Monaghan, L Fortune; D Raythorne (0-1), S Fortune, D Wilson (0-4); D Brady (0-4), C Brady; D Gannon (0-5, 3f), R O'Neill, S Moynagh; T Donohoe, R Fitzpatrick (1-3, 0-1f), J Brady (0-2, 1f). Subs: R Clarke for S Moynagh (BC), L Cooper for L Fortune, C Smith for J Brady, P Leddy for D Gannon, P Corrigan for T Donohoe.

Antrim - A Hasson; C Garland, C King, P McCormick; D McCormick, E Walsh, D Carey; J Maskey, C Murray; B Rice, C Small (0-8, 6f), C Lyttle; O Eastwood (1-0), B Corr (0-1), K Small (0-1). Subs: G Walsh (0-1) for B Rice, B McCormick for C King, E Fyfe for C Lyttle, J Finnegan for B Corr, M McNamee for P McCormick, C Daykin for E Walsh.

Referee - D Connolly.

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