Cavan oust Antrim to book semi spot

AFTER seeing off neighbouring rivals Monaghan, Cavan didn’t have it easy in disposing of Antrim as they booked their place in an Ulster SFC semi-final.

The Farney men may have been an outside fancy for All-Ireland glory but Cavan were forced to deal with an equally robust challenge from the Division 4 outfit before winning out on a 0-13 to 0-9 scoreline.

Goalkeeper Ray Galligan was Cavan’s scoring hero in the previous outing and he made a stunning save from Paddy Gallagher in the second period of the latest contest before the Blues broke for victory. Antrim had held a 0-6 to 0-5 interval lead with Conor Murray and Paddy Cunningham showing up well in their attack.

However, Gearóid McKiernan and substitute Thomas Edward Donohoe provided the scoring impetus for Cavan on the restart.

In the Munster SFC, Tipperary made it through to their first final since 2016 by overcoming Tipperary 1-15 to 2-11, after extra-time, in the Gaelic Grounds. Substitute Brian Fox was the Premier County hero, scoring the winning point after the game had ended 2-9 to 1-12 at the end of normal time.

Cillian Fahy and Seán McSweeney had accounted for Limerick’s goals which had left them 2-6 to 0-5 up at the interval.

Conor Sweeney pulled a goal back for Tipp on the resumption, with Conor Sweeney’s haul of seven points proving crucial.

In the Joe McDonagh Cup, Martin Kavanagh’s tally of 1-13 helped Carlow to a narrow 1-22 to 1-21 win over Meath.