Cavan's Minor side have made a habit of comebacks in the past few weeks, and they needed to dig deep again this past weekend to book their place in their second Ulster final in three years.
Down found the back of the net twice through Liam Kerr (a standout performer against Armagh) and Ruairi McCrickard, but the two goals weren't enough to see them over the line against a tough Cavan team.
Our minors will play Derry in Electric Ireland #Ulster2017 Final on Sunday 16th July.
Ticket details to follow as soon as we have them. pic.twitter.com/FDpoguQ54t— Official Cavan GAA (@CavanCoBoardGaa) June 25, 2017
Despite going in four points down at the break, having conceded two goals and lost midfielder Ronan Patterson to a black card early in the game, Cavan still came back with a fantastic second-half performance to win 0-15 to 2-07.
Unsurprisingly, three men from the Breffni county make the voting for the Electric Ireland Minor Player of the Week this time out. You can cast your ballot every week on Electric Ireland's Facebook page, and get involved in the conversation through #GAAThisIsMajor.
James Smith - Cavan
Midfield was the platform where Cavan built their comeback, and plenty of those who were watching on from the sidelines were raving about the dominance they showed there.
Great performance real midfield dominance, well done on getting to last final https://t.co/xXmY5RowbW
— Killinkere GFC (@KillinkereGFC) June 24, 2017
Hard luck to Down minors! Came up against a very strong Cavan team! Had outstanding midfield
— Eamonn fegan (@EamonnFegan) June 24, 2017
Even at that, it was Smith who was singled out for particular praise, putting in a Man of the Match display to help his side overturn their half-time deficit.
With more marks to his name in this game than an entire Aussie rules team, the term "towering" seems more than apt for his performance in the middle of the park. Clearly, nobody ever told him that high fielding was a dying art.
Cian Madden - Cavan
Madden makes his second appearance in the voting for the Player of the Week, after another star turn earlier this month as John Brady's charges overcame Monaghan.
He carried the vote on that occasion, and few would bet against him doing the same again after a strong performance this time out.
Congratulations to Cian Madden @GownaGFC who is this weeks Electric Ireland Minor Player of the Week!https://t.co/0EmAHk7Aj2 pic.twitter.com/sGb78OUWQo
— Official Cavan GAA (@CavanCoBoardGaa) June 1, 2017
Madden finished the game with three points, but two came straight after the break in quick succession, when Cavan needed scores to cut the deficit, and again to give his side the lead later on.
Oisin Pierson - Cavan
Pierson proved to be too tricky at corner-forward for the Down defence to keep contained, in particular in the second half, as he put four points over the bar to help close the gap.
In particular, two crucial scores gave them breathing space and eventually put them four points clear in the second half, helping them to the their final tally of 0-15. They would need that bit of extra space in the end, as Down tacked on two further scores which was enough to seal the win by a score of two points.
Cavan 0-15 v Down 2-5 Cavan number 13 Oisin Pierson kicks a lovely acute close range point from play! 56 min #GAA #UlsterMFC #PhillysUpdates
— PhillyMc (@MoysPhillyMc) June 24, 2017
Having booked their ticket, Derry now await Cavan in Clones on July 16th. In their last appearance in the final, they lost to the Oak Leafers, so will be hoping they can add one more comeback to their record in Ulster this year.
You can cast your vote for your Minor Player of the Week nominees every week on Electric Ireland's Facebook page.
