Delaney the hero as Cavan edge Leitrim for Allianz Hurling League Division 3B crown

Cavan hurlers are National League Division 3B champions after they edged Leitrim in a thrilling contest by the minimum margin.

Cootehill Celtic youngster Rian Delaney was the hero, coming off the bench to fire over the priceless winning point. The closing stages produced almost unbearable tension as Cavan held on throughout a surprisingly lengthy nine minutes of injury time.

In the end, though, Cavan, who never trailed, stood strong to claim rare adult silverware.

When the sides met earlier in the campaign, Cavan ran out four-point winners and another very close contest was anticipated here.

Cavan were the better side in the first half and by the midway point, the Breffni men had built up a 0-11 to 0-8 lead.

Kilkenny native Canice Maher, a former Leinster Minor Championship-winning captain with the Cats who is now based in Cavan, opened the scoring with a 50-metre point and from there on, they managed to keep their noses in front.

A huge score from Maher was cancelled out by a long-range free from Leitrim's outstanding performer, midfielder Gavin O’Hagan.

Nicky Kenny hit back with a trademark point off his left side but Leitrim again responded quickly, this time Joe Murray firing over.

Maher (one 65, one free) made it 0-05 to 0-02 in favour of the Ulster side with 11 minutes played but an impressive score from late call-up Sean Markem and another from O’Hagan made it a one-point game.

Cavan full-forward Diarmuid Carney created a chance which Maher finished and after captain Mattie Hynes turned over possession, Kenny sent over a quality score to leave three between the sides again.

But an experienced Leitrim side were proving hard to shake off. O’Hagan (free) and Kenny, from play, traded scores and Ollie Bellew’s men pulled four