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Niall McDermott of Cavan celebrates scoring his side's goal. INPHO/Donall Farmer
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Cavan survive scare to overcome London

Paul Coggins’ side were level with their opponents at half-time, before fading after the interval.

Cavan 1-17
London 1-8

Cavan were given a real fright by London before eventually booking a place in the All Ireland football quarter finals.

London, who summoned another gutsy performance, were level at the interval following a palmed Paul Geraghty goal.

But Cavan took control after the restart as their superior fitness and depth ensured London’s thrilling Championship adventure finished.

Paul Coggins’ Exiles departed the race for Sam Maguire with admirers and plaudits for the gritty and courageous manner in which they embraced every test.

Five summer matches have brought London into unchartered territory and from the outset at Croke Park they were willing to test Cavan.

Terry Hyland’s charges, though, were dealing with a complete no-win scenario with everyone expecting them to emerge as comfortable victors.

In the closing stages Cavan put a bit of a sheen on the scoreline, but they were frustrated for large stints of a competitive encounter.

With Martin Dunne nifty inside Cavan were on top initially as Cian Mackey forced a splendid save from London custodian Declan Traynor.

Unperturbed Cavan ploughed on leading by 0-6 to 0-2 when the match exploded to life following Geraghty’s 19th minute goal.

That gave London belief and with Lorcan Mulvey kicking the frees calmly they left for the break on terms at 0-9 to 1-6.

After the restart Cavan just had an extra drop of attacking guile and while London remained earnest they couldn’t score enough.

Cavan’s pace and ability to run the ball was crucial as Mackey and Eugene Keating nailed points to give them the initiative.

Keating somehow managed to miss a clearcut goalscoring opportunity which was crafted by the threatening Dunne.

Alan O’Mara made a fine reflex save to thwart Damien Dunleavy as London probed for a major, but that is what Cavan got as they held out.

Cavan finished strongly with substitute Niall McDermott slamming a 68th minute goal which decorated the success.

Scorers for Cavan: Martin Dunne 0-6 (0-4f), Niall McDermott 1-0, David Givney 0-3, Feargal Flanagan, Eugene Keating (0-1f), Tomas Corr 0-2 each, Cian Mackey, Martin Reilly (0-1 ’45) 0-1 each.

Scorers for London: Paul Geraghty 1-0, Lorcan Mulvey 0-3 (0-3f), Cathal Magee, Ciaran McCallion 0-2 each, Caolan Doyle 0-1.

CAVAN: Alan O’Mara; James McEnroe, Rory Dunne, Killian Clarke; Alan Clarke, Damien O’Reilly, Feargal Flanagan; Tomas Corr, David Givney; Cian Mackey, Ronan Flanagan, Martin Reilly; Martin Dunne. Jack Brady, Eugene Keating.
Subs: Darragh McVitty for McEnroe (47), Jason McLoughlin for Corr (58), Niall McDermott for Brady (61), Killian Brady for Feargal Flanagan (66), Mark McKeever for Mackey (70)

LONDON: Declan Traynor; Stephen Curran, David McGreevy, Philip Butler; Cathal Og Greene, Shane Mulligan, Seamus Hannon; Caolan Doyle, Paul Geraghty; Ciaran McCallion, Damien Dunleavy, Gregory Crowley; Anthony Gaughan, Lorcan Mulvey, Cathal Magee.

Subs: Dean O’Neill for Hannon (43), Sean Kelly for McCallion (43), Colin Daly for Crowley (46), Brian Collins for Butler (50), Eoin O’Neill for Doyle (59)

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)

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