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16:50 GMT, Sunday, 15 June 2008 17:50 UK

Cavan 0-13 0-17 Armagh

Kieran Toner (left) and Cavan's Martin Reilly

Armagh set up an Ulster SFC semi-final against Down by deservedly beating Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park.

The winners held the edge from the off as they led 0-4 to 0-2 after the first quarter and 0-9 to 0-5 at the break.

A series of Seanie Johnston points helped Cavan fight back to 0-9 to 0-11 but Paul McGrane's midfield brilliance helped Armagh stay in control.

Cavan goalkeeper James Reilly made three magnifcent saves while Steven McDonnell finished with six points.

Seanie Johnston also finished on a six-point tally but Armagh were never really threatened by a battling but limited Cavan outfit.

Cavan's Martin Reilly hit the opening score of the match but two Stephen Kernan scores and an effort from his brother Aaron helped Armagh lead 0-4 to 0-2 after 17 minutes.

The home side fought back to trail 0-5 to 0-4 after 23 minutes but the final 12 minutes of the opening period was the Steven McDonnell show as he slotted three scores from play.

Trailing 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval, Cavan had the benefit of a slight wind advantage in the second half but Armagh pushed on to lead 0-11 to 0-6.

The game could have been over as a contest two minutes after the break but Cavan keeper Reilly was the first of his point-blank stops to deny Ronan Clarke.

The stop seemed to rally the Breffni men and Seanie Johnston hit three answered points to reduce Armagh's lead to 0-11 to 0-9.

But Charlie Vernon's run and point got Armagh scoring again and further Stephen Kernan and Ronan Clarke efforts left five between the teams again.

Reilly's second superb save denied McDonnell in the 52nd minute and there was still only four points between the sides on the hour when Seanie Johnston scored his fifth point.

But Cavan didn't get any closer in the final 10 minutes as Aaron Kernan and McGrane pointed to keep Armagh in comfortable control.

Armagh boss Peter McDonnell was a content men after his team's victory but he knows that they will face much stiffer tests if they are to challenge for silverware during the remainder of the summer.


Cavan: J Reilly, M Hannon, R Dunne, P O'Reilly, B Watters, A Forde, M Cahill, M McDonald, D McCabe (0-3), M Reilly (0-1), M McKeever (0-1), C Mackey (0-2), S Johnston (0-6), R Flanagan, J O'Reilly. Subs: L Mulvey for M McDonald 18 mins, S Brady for J O'Reilly half-time, E Reilly for M Reilly 43, M McDonald for Mulvey.

Armagh: P Hearty, A Mallon, F Bellew, F Moriarty, C Vernon (0-1), A O'Rourke, C McKeever, P McGrane (0-1), K Toner (0-1), A Kernan (0-2), S Kernan (0-3), Martin O'Rourke, S McDonnell (0-6), R Clarke (0-2), P McKeever (0-1).


Other Championship results

Connacht SFC semi-final
Galway 2-14 1-13 Leitrim

Munster SFC semi-finals
Kerry 1-14 0-5 Clare
Limerick 0-12 2-9 Cork

Leinster SHC semi-finals
Dublin 0-19 2-13 Wexford
Kilkenny 2-24 0-12 Offaly

Kehoe Cup Final
Carlow 0-17 1-20 Meath




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Armagh display delights McDonnell (15 Jun 08 |  Northern Ireland )

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