Cork 0-11 Cavan 0-14
Cavan took a significant step towards an immediate return to Division One with an important win over Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.
They maintained their position at the top of the table with a convincing victory over a surprisingly sluggish home outfit.
Cavan were full value for their win, which would have been by a far greater margin but for two missed late goal chances.
The visitors got a run on Cork in the closing 10 minutes of the first-half, when playing against the wind, to lead by 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval.
A fine Dara McVeety score started a sequence of five points without response as Caoimhin O’Reilly (two), Conor Moynagh and Killian Clarke also found the range.
The sides were level four times before Cavan’s rush of scores after Brian O’Driscoll had nudged Cork 0-5 to 0-4 in front after 21 minutes.
Cork made four changes at the interval and upped their intensity levels, but Cavan always maintained a four-point advantage with McVeety prominent all through.
Cork got it down to three points entering injury-time, but Cavan were never in and danger.
CORK: A Casey; S Ryan, J O'Sullivan, M McSweeney; K Crowley, B O'Driscoll (0-1), T Clancy (0-1); I Maguire, captain, C O'Hanlon; K Flahive, S White (0-2), R Deane; M Hurley, C O'Neill (0-1'45), M Collins (0-2). Subs: J O'Rourke (0-2) for Hurley, K O'Driscoll for Ryan, C Kiely for Crowley, M Taylor for O'Driscoll, all half-time, C Dorgan for O'Hanlon 54 mins, S Sherlock (0-2) for O'Neill 60 mins,
CAVAN: J Farrelly; D Phillips, P Faulkner, J McLoughlin; M Reilly, C Brady (0-1), E Flanagan (0-1); B Magee (0-1 free), K Clarke (0-1; N Clerkin, C Moynagh (0-1), O Kiernan; D McVeety (0-1), A Cole (0-2), C O'Reilly (0-4, two frees). Subs: G McKiernan (0-1)for Clerkin half-time, S Murray for Moynagh, 45 mins, C Mackey (0-1 free) for O'Reilly 48, t Galligan for Magee 60 mins, D Brady for Cole 62 mins, Conor Brady for Ciaran Brady black card 70+2mins
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath)