Cavan could have been forgiven for turning their noses up at the Tailteann Cup. Instead, they've fully embraced it

A second-tier competition or not, Mickey Graham's team are 70 minutes from a final in Croker.

Cavan manager Mickey Graham at a GAA media event ahead of Sunday's Tailteann Cup semi-finals double header at Croke Park

They came from all over Ulster and Ireland to St Mary’s Church in Ballyhaise yesterday to pay their final respects to Enda McGowan, one of the great Cavan defenders, who passed away in mid-week.

McGowan made his championship debut in the 1967 All-Ireland semi-final against Cork and went on to win another Ulster title two years later and play in the finals of 1976 and ’78, the latter as captain.