Late goals crucial as Donegal eventually see off Cavan

Two goals in the last 10 minutes proved the difference as Donegal advanced to a 10th Ulster final since 2011 after a six-point win over Cavan at St Tiernach's Park in Clones.

The scoreline flattered Donegal a little – when Gearóid McKiernan swung over an equaliser for Cavan on 57 minutes, the sides were level for the fifth time and a tense finale seemed seemed in store.

But Donegal summoned up a great finish, Conor O'Donnell and Paddy McBrearty latching on to two miskicked shots to hit the net in the 61st and 66th minutes to help them ease home.

Having lost to Cavan in the 2020 Ulster final, the Tír Chonnail men were fired up for this one and while Cavan were the better team in the first half, Declan Bonner’s men were much superior in the second and ran out deserving winners, with Aaron Doherty rattling the crossbar in injury time.

The sides were deadlocked at 0-09 apiece after a rip-roaring opening half. Cavan came into the game as huge underdogs but belied that tag with an excellent first-half performance and probably should have been ahead, with the brilliant James Smith rattling the crossbar late in the half.

However, Donegal, who never lead in the first half, had butchered a couple of goal opportunities too and were looking dangerous on the break and off Patton's long kick-outs in particular.

Cavan opened the scoring after 20 seconds when Thomas Galligan won the throw-in and young full-forward Paddy Lynch, who gave full-back Brendan McCole a difficult time, fired over from play.

Michael Murphy levelled with a free but Cavan were back in front on seven minutes when Gerry Smith gathered a high ball – a tactic Cavan employed frequently – and pointed on the turn.

Patrick McBrearty and Lynch traded frees as the hectic pace of