Donegal attack too good for Cavan

Donegal 1-17 Cavan 0-15

Donegal's attacking flair proved too potent for Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park, where Mickey Moran's side glided through to the second round of the Bank of Ireland Ulster Football Championship, and left the National League finalists to negotiate a tricky route through the Qualifiers.

While Cavan relied heavily on newcomer Gerard Pierson for scores from frees, Donegal were able to call on a variety of cultured marksmen, with Brendan Devenney and Adrian Sweeney in particular shooting some sweet scores.

Donegal got off to a dream start, the Cavan defence caught flat.

Brendan Devenney fed Adrian Sweeney and Brian Roper came thundering through to collect and blast to the roof of the net.

A goal after barely a minute, Cavan rocked, and they were soon six points behind.

But suddenly they hit back with two Gerard Pierson points and a Larry Reilly score, and Jason Reilly saw a punched effort come back off the crossbar.

Donegal regrouped with real purpose, and superb long range points from Kevin Cassidy and Sweeney restored their six points advantage.

Devenney and Michael Hegarty tagged on a couple more as Donegal laid on a superb display of points scoring.

Cavan tried to remain in touch with scores from Pierson and centre back Anthony Forde, but their growing desperation was underlined by the introduction of a half-fit Dermot McCabe for his first appearance of the season.

They were handed a glimmer of hope by Donegal debuntant John Haran's dismissal for a high tackle, but it was the Tir Chonaill men who finished the half on a high with another wonderful Devenney effort.

They led by 1-10 to 0-5 at the interval, and increased the advantage to nine, but once Cavan got to grips with how to use the spare man, things began to happen for Cavan.

Five points without, four of them from youngster Pierson, left them just four points in arrears 14 minutes into the half.

But when full back Thomas Prior was sent off for a second bookable offence, the initiative was handed generously back to Donegal.

Sweeney and Hegarty gave them a seven points lead, Pierson's frees went some way towards keeping Cavan in touch, but Donegal seemed able to score at will, and stylish points from Devenney, Sweeney and Hegarty ensured there would be no Breffni comebck.

Pierson marked his debut with 10 points, but Donegal had all the options up front, Roper, Devenney Sweeney and Hegarty chalking up a combined total of 1-15.

Cavan: A Donohoe, E Reilly, T Prior, C Hannon, M Brides, A Forde (0-2), J Doonan, P McKenna, C Collins, D Rabbitt, P Reilly (0-1), G Pierson (0-10), L Reilly (0-1), J Reilly, P Galligan. Subs: D McCabe for Galligan, P Kermath for Rabbitt, M Graham for L Reilly, B McCrudden (0-1) for Collins

Donegal: T Blake, S Carr, M Crossan, N McGinley, R Sweeney, B Monaghan, K Cassidy (0-1), J Gildea, P McGonigle, J Haran, M Hegarty (0-3), J McGuinness (0-1), A Sweeney (0-4), B Devenney (0-7), B Roper (1-1). Subs: D Diver for Cassidy, C Toye for Roper

Referee: P Russell (Tipperary)