Down scrape into Ulster Minor Football semi

Down 1-11 Cavan 2-07

Determined Down edged out Cavan at the Athletic Grounds this afternoon as a late Matthew Bagnall point secured a semi-final berth for the Mourne county in the ESB Ulster Minor Football Championship.

In glorious conditions in Armagh city, Down drew first blood and with the wind at their backs they led by 1-06 to 0-03 at the interval with David McCribben grabbing the goal.

However, Cavan were resilient and emerged as more fired-up force for the second half.

Points from Jack Brady and team captain Barry Reilly cut the gap to four points within five minutes of the restart.

The Breffni Blues continued to build momentum with PP O'Hara's 37th-minute goal cutting the gap to a point.

But Down bounced back and outscored Cavan by three points to one to open up a 1-9 to 1-6 lead with 12 minutes remaining.

Cavan bit the bullet with O'Hara firing home a second goal to level the tie in the 54th minute.

Indeed when 17-year-old Christopher Shiels slotted over a point a minute later, it propelled Cavan into the lead for the first time.

Nonetheless, Down stood firm in the end as late points from Ross McGarry and Bagnall ensured a place in the last-four for Mark Turley's side.