Murray strike proves the difference as Cavan prevail

Cavan 1-10 Tyrone 0-10, Brewster Park

Niall Murray's goal after just 11 seconds was the difference as Cavan earned their first Cadbury Ulster Under-21 Football Championship title since 1996.

Terry Hyland's charges were in fine form throughout tonight's final at Brewster Park, with Murray giving them the perfect start.

The early goal from the Cavan Gaels clubman gave Cavan a strong foothold and kept them ahead on the scoreboard, despite the best efforts of Tyrone's Matthew Donnelly and Ronan O'Neill.

Cavan captain Gearoid McKiernan led by example in the midfield sector. The eventual man-of-the-match grabbed the last two points of the first half as Cavan claimed a 1-5 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Tyrone responded on the restart with points from Niall McKenna and O'Neill, but Barry Reilly and Jack Brady slotted over frees for Cavan.

Tyrone cut the deficit to two points in the 56th minute with scores from O'Neill and Richard Donnelly.

However, a Patrick King point opened up a three-point lead for the Breffni youngsters in the 64th minute.

Murray could have had a second goal but his goal-bound shot, in the sixth minute of injury-time, was saved by Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan.