Cavan march into final & clinch promotion in style

Coming into this match, only a freak sequence of results would have denied Cavan promotion and a place in the Allianz Football League Division 4 final and the Blues rubber-stamped both here with a comfortable win over Waterford.

Back in 2006, the Déise stunned Cavan at the same venue at the same stage of the competition, denying the Breffni men promotion, but there was to be no repeat this evening as Mickey Graham's men picked up their biggest win of the campaign.

Despite their position at the top of the table, the 2020 Ulster champions had been in stuttering form of late, losing to Tipperary and holding on to beat London by a point in a nerve finale at Ruislip six days earlier.

However, Cavan hit the ground running here and once they got on top, they kept their foot on the pedal as they played their best football of the campaign.

In beautifully sunny conditions, the hosts had opened an eight-point lead by the 20th minute with an impressive attacking display.

Cavan had been guilty of slow build-up play in earlier matches but there was an urgency about their attacking here as they moved the ball at pace and looked to hit the inside forwards with early kick passes.

With James Smith relocated to the edge of the square and showing well, Cavan poured forward early on and should have been further ahead, registering four wides in the first seven minutes.

Cian Madden played a one-two with Smith and opened the scoring; Tom O'Connell levelled matters but Jason McLoughlin then fisted the lead score.

Waterford levelled again through O’Connell but a long range free from goalkeeper Raymond Galligan nudged the hosts in front and they would lead from there till the final whistle.

Paddy Lynch pointed after a neat pass from Conor Moynagh created