Cavan secured a huge victory over Monaghan this afternoon, defeating their neighbours on a scoreline of 3-12 to 1-12 to secure their place in the quarter-finals Ulster Senior Football Championship.
It was an excellent performance from Ray Galligan's side, who entered the game on the back of a couple of disappointing displays to end their league campaign. Monaghan came into the match having been relegated from Division 1, but with Rory Beggan returning to the side, many expected them to get the job done in Clones.
However, in a very close game, this late goal from Gerard Smith proved to be the decisive moment of the contest.
Gerard Smith turns the game with another Cavan goal.
It has been a thriller in Clones
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Cavan would add another goal soon after to make sure of the result and set up a game with Tyrone in two weeks time.
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Cavan got 'kick up the backside' ahead of Monaghan showdown
Cavan started their Division 2 campaign in an impressive manner, although there were some question marks about the team after the way they finished the league. They would be well beaten by Armagh on scoreline of 1-14 to 0-12 in their second to last game, going on to lose to Fermanagh a week later.
In saying that, some feel those results may have been the making of them.
Speaking to RTÉ after today's game, Padraig Faulkner said those losses in the league gave the team the 'kick up the backside' that they needed.
Padraig Faulkner delights in Cavan's victory over Monaghan as he takes the man of the match award #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/IP08tuIk7o
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Obviously the short-term goal was to get promoted to Division 1, obviously we didn't reach that. We did get to the Sam Maguire competition.
It was a disappointing end to the league, losing to Armagh in the fashion we did. Then in the game against Fermanagh at home was a bit disappointing.
I suppose it's the kick up the backside that sometimes this Cavan team need...
The subs that came on made a massive difference. It just shows the type of depth we have in this Cavan team.
Cavan will enter the game against Tyrone as underdogs once again, although they will not be short on confidence after this result.
It should make for a fascinating contest.
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