Stephen Cluxton: Might have expected to face an aerial barrage but, apart from a late effort lofted in under the bar, had a handy enough night. Kick-outs were on point, as always, with only one not finding its target. 7.5
Michael Fitzsimons: Tasked with picking up Ulster final hero Conor Madden but, despite the huge aerial threat that swung earlier wins over Down and Donegal, Cavan didn’t go direct until the game was gone. Fitzsimons was rarely left exposed. 7.5
Davy Byrne: Had Thomas Galligan for company and dealt well with his threat, although Galligan was largely feeding off scraps. 7
Jonny Cooper: Lost Martin Reilly for the first score of the game and lucky not be shown a black card after a crude trip on the Killygarry man as he advanced towards the square 10 minutes before the break. 7
Eoin Murchan: Operated mostly as a sweeper, and his pace helped him cover acres of ground and stop Cavan penetrating through the middle. 7
John Small: Had a good battle with James Smith in the first half but was able to throw the shackles off after the break as space opened up. 7
Robbie McDaid: Jack who? Big, strong and quick, the Ballyboden man was a threat all night from wing-back. Scored the game’s only goal, palming home from a Rock fist-pass. 8.5
James McCarthy: Not his usual all-action self, but didn’t need to be. Cleverly limited McKiernan’s influence, more than matching him in the air and constantly forcing the Cavan Gaels man onto his right side. 7.5
Brian Fenton: See Star Man
Niall Scully: Slipped at the crucial moment when a first half goal chance came along, and was a peripheral figure for long stretches. 6.5
Ciaran Kilkenny: Always so hard to pin down as he drifts around the 45. Strong, controlled in possession and never seems to make the wrong choice. 8.5
Sean Bugler: Didn’t really get into the game and was taken off 13 minutes into the second half. 6
Paddy Small: Lively and always prepared to take on his man. Scored a couple of points, one from a mark. Gave away possession a couple of times and was withdrawn late on. 8
Dean Rock: The cleverness and unselfishness of his runs are underrated. Missed an early mark but accurate otherwise in a brilliant first half performance when he won everything that came his way. Quieter after the break. 8
Con O’Callaghan: Used his brute strength to strip Cavan of possession twice in the first half, and his directness is always a huge threat in the final third. Finished with four from play, even though Faulkner did well on him. 8
Substitutes
Brian Howard: Outmuscled four Cavan players to win a throw up and land his solitary score. 7
Philly McMahon: Picked up Thomas Galligan after coming on and dealt brilliantly with three high balls lumped in on top of him. Found himself in the other square late on but scuffed his shot wide. 8
Paul Mannion: Wasn’t involved much after being brought on for the final quarter. 6
Cormac Costello: Got the last score of the game. 6.5
Colm Basquel: Not on long enough to be rated
STAR MAN
Brian Fenton
JUST a phenomenal athlete. Glides over the ground, so clever in possession, Cavan gave him far too much room and couldn’t get to grips with his bursts of pace, especially in the first half. Finished with four from play, and by far the best on show. 9
