Cavan impressed greatly in beating Donegal by 1-14 to 2-8 at Breffni Park.

The Ulster champions led by 1-7 to 0-9 to at the end of an entertaining half and could consider themselves fortunate to hold that advantage.

Cavan were the better side for long spells of that opening period and got the first two points from midfielder Gearoid McKiernan and Niall Smith, both of whom registered inside the first minute.

For new-look Donegal, Daniel McLoughlin caught the eye as he landed two first-half scores.

Stephen Griffin's 18th-minute goal had the visitors in front for the first time and Griffin struck a total of 1-4 for the losers in the first half.

Corner forward Raymond Galligan bagged 0-4 for Cavan as the hosts produced a strong first-half showing.

Cavan levelled the scores after the restart before the turning point arrived:

Niall McDermott faced Donegal's debutant goalkeeper Michael Mullen with a 52nd-minute penalty, awarded for a footblock on Galligan. Mullen made the save but McDermott followed up to net the rebounder, 1-10 to 1-7.

The Breffni County continued to dominate and Donegal went 25 minutes without a score before Christy Toye found the target.

The visitors had McKinley sent off before the end and Paddy McBrearty's goal in injury time only served to put some respectability on the scoreboard. Tweet

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