Ulster Senior Football Championship final: Donegal 1-24 Cavan 2-16
DONEGAL were more superior at Clones today than the scoreline suggests and their pace, power, creativity and organisation all augur well for their prospects this season.
In all, 43 flags were raised (the aggregate of 49 points almost surpassed the 4-15 to 4-11 final between winners Down and Derry back in 1971) but, despite a late rally, Cavan were never able to get close enough to the Tír Chonaill men to turn an entertaining game into a genuine nail-biter.
Declan Bonner’s side punched holes through the centre of the Cavan defence repeatedly throughout the first-half and led by eight points at the break and, although the Breffni men recovered from their nervy start in the second-half to bag goals through subs Conor Madden and Stephen Murray, their rally came too late to really threaten a turnaround win.
Elsewhere at the weekend, Malachy O’Rourke stepped down as Monaghan manager after his side’s defeat to Armagh in round two of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers, while Dubin and Kerry both retained their provincial football crowns.
The draw for round three of the Qualifiers will take place on Monday morning.
WEEKEND RESULTS
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers round two
Offaly 3-17 Sligo 0-15; Down 1-11 Mayo 1-16; Monaghan 1-12 Armagh 2-17; Westmeath 2-13 Limerick 1-10; Leitrim 0-17 Clare 3-17; Derry 0-12 Laois 1-13; Longford 1-14 Tyrone 2-15; Antrim 0-14 Kildare 1-25
Leinster SFC final
Dublin 1-17 Meath 0-4
Munster SFC final
Kerry 1-19 Cork 3-10
Ulster SFC final
Donegal 1-24 Cavan 2-16
Christy Ring Cup final
Meath 4-19 Down 2-15
Nicky Rackard Cup final
Sligo 2-14 Armagh 2-13
Lory Meagher Cup final
Leitrim 2-23 Lancashire 2-22
