Published Sunday, 20 May 2012
Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty in action against Dublin's Cian O'Sullivan in March. (© Presseye)
The Breffni men made a confident start to the game, taking an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead, but Donegal responded well, and led by 1-7 to 0-4 at half time.
Donegal's goal came from a penalty, with Colm McFadden converting after Patrick McBrearty had been hauled down by Killian Clarke.
Cavan found themselves eight points adrift early in the second half after scores from McFadden and Mark McHugh, with Niall McDermot ending the hosts scoring drought with a point soon after.
However, Donegal continued to press, and were nine points in front when Cavan were awarded a penalty of their own after Neil McGee fouled the impressive Eugene Keating.
McDermott sent the ball past Donegal stopper Paul Durcan, and further scores from Keating, who finished the afternoon with 0-5 from play, and Gearoid McKiernan reduced the deficit to three points.
However, the Tír Chonaill men finished strongly with McFadden adding three unanswered scores to ensure a 1-16 to 1-10 victory.
The result sees Cavan drop to the All-Ireland Qualifiers, with Donegal progressing to meet Derry in the quarter-final on 16 June.