Derry had to dig deep to record a dramatic 1-12 to 1-11 victory over Cavan at Breffni Park.

Cailean O'Boyle palmed the winners' all-important goal to the net at the start of the second half but a Michael Argue major at the three-quarters stage had the hosts level before Cian Mackey edged them into a 1-9 to 1-8 lead on 55 minutes.

As the points ebbed and flowed, three from Mark Lynch - including the winner from a 65th-minute free - and one from Shane Heavron got the Oak Leaf County over the line as they defeated Ulster opposition for the second weekend in a row while Cavan themselves fell narrowly to rivals from within the province yet again.

A turning point seemed to have arrived in the 27th minute when Ryan Bell hit a meek penalty straight at home custodian Raymond Galligan and Terry Hyland's men rallied with quickfire scores from Paul O'Connor, Tomas Corr and captain Gearoid McKiernan to lead by 0-6 to 0-4 - a massive six-point swing.

First-half points from Glen clubman Ciaran McFaul (2), centre back Mark Craig, James Kielt (free) and Emmett Bradley had the winners within the minimum at the short whistle and they just about shaded the second half to emerge victorious.

Even though there was little or nothing to separate these two teams tonight, the fine margins are such that, after two rounds, Derry are top of the Division Two table with four points while Cavan are bottom with none.

Derry - E McNicholl; K McKaigue, C McKaigue, C Mullan; G McKinless, M Craig (0-1), D Heavron (0-1); E Bradley (0-1), M Lynch (0-3, 2f); B Heron (0-1), C McFaul (0-2), C Bradley; C O'Boyle (1-0), R Bell, J Kielt (0-2, 1f). Subs: E McGuckin for C O'Boyle, N Loughlin for R Bell, S Heavron (0-1) for B Heron, C McAtamney for E Bradley, D McKinless for C Bradley, N Forester for G McKinless.

Cavan - R Galligan; P Faulkner, K Clarke, K Brady; C Brady, C Moynagh, F Flanagan; T Corr (0-1), G McKiernan (0-3, 1f); M Reilly (0-1f), D Givney (0-1), D McVeety (0-1); C Mackey (0-1), E Keating (0-1f), P O'Connor (0-1). Subs: M Argue (1-0) for K Brady, J Hayes for D McVeety, S Johnston (0-1f) for P O'Connor, T Hayes for E Keating, C Conroy for G McKiernan (BC), E Henry for S Johnston.

Referee - P Neilan.

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