Donegal 1-17 Cavan 0-15
Donegal turned in an astute performance to oust Cavan from the Ulster Championship at Breffni Park today.
Cavan looked like a team suffering from a prolonged National League campaign and despite a revival of sorts in the second half, never looked like winners.
Donegal were well marshaled from defence by Mark Crossan and in midfield by the excellent John Gildea, but it was the electric appetite of full forward Brendan Devenney that had Cavan at a stretch.
Donegal found the league finalists sluggish in the opening exchanges and Devenney - a soccer star with Finn Harps - played a telling role in Donegal's goal after two minutes of play.
Corner forward Brian Roper was perfectly positioned on the edge of the square and he finished off a tidy move involving Devenney and Adrian Sweeney. Sweeney then pointed after seven minutes to put Donegal 1-3 to 0-0 ahead.
Larry Reilly put Cavan on the scoreboard after ten minutes but the game never took flight from there on in. The Cavan defence were indisciplined throughout and gifted Donegal a series of unnecessary close range frees which they duly converted.
Donegal were then controversially reduced to 14 men, one minute before the break, when John Harron allegedly elbowed Cavan corner back Eamonn Reilly as the later carried the ball from defence.
Donegal led by eight points at half-time with the scoreline 1-10 to 0-5.
Cavan started the second half in lively fashion and brought brief hope to their supporters when Peter Reilly finished off a fluid passing movement with a fine score from distance.
Ger Pierson - who hit 10 of Cavan's 15 points - kept Mattie Kerrigan's side in touch with a series of frees.
But Donegal remained composed and imposed themselves on their opponents late in the half. Micky Moran's side had the game won ten minutes from time without having to ask serious questions of themselves.
Cavan's frustrating afternoon was compounded midway through the half when full back Thomas Prior - tormented throughout by Devenney - was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Donegal will play Down in the next round.
Elsewhere, Limerick gave reigning Munster champions Kerry a real scare at the Gaelic Grounds before losing out on a scoreline of 0-14 to 1-7.
Limerick beat Kerry in the league six weeks ago and many in the county felt a championship shock was on the cards.
But Kerry started well and soon raced into a clear lead. Limerick hit back with a Danny Murphy goal but their opponents replied with seven unanswered points to lead 0-9 to 1-1 at half-time.
Despite kicking a string of wides after the restart, Limerick found a rhythm and battled back into contention. In fact, the home side found themselves only one point behind with ten minutes to play.
But Kerry's class was to shine through and prolific forward Mike Frank Russell kicked two fine points to see Paidi O'Se's side through to the Munster semi-final against Cork on June 16th.
Sunday's results:
Munster Senior Football Championship
Kerry 0-14 Limerick 1-7
Clare 3-10 Waterford 2-9
Ulster Senior Football Championship
Donegal 1-17 Cavan 0-15
Fermanagh 4-13 Monaghan 2-11
Leinster Senior Football Championship
Westmeath 1-14 Carlow 0-10
Louth 3-17 Longford 1-12
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Meath 2-16 Laois 1-18
Dublin 2-12 Westmeath 1-12
Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
Down 3-22 London 1-9
L:Late result