Cavan player ratings
Raymond Galligan
Struck a long-range free well in the second half, but was left the rue the decision of come off his line for Donegal’s first goal. Kick-outs were generally sound. 6.5
Jason McLoughlin
Tracked Shane O’Donnell and can be fairly pleased with his contribution to the Cavan cause. However, he kicked one poor wide late on. 6.5
Padraig Faulkner
Will have been happy with how he fared against Michael Murphy for large periods of Sunday’s game. But the Donegal captain doesn’t stay quiet for too long and Murphy edged their battle by the full-time whistle. 6
Killian Brady
Paddy McBrearty illustrated his class against Armagh and he was ruthlessly efficient again against Cavan and Brady was too loose on the Kilcar ace. 5
Luke Fortune
Jamie Brennan was on top form on Sunday and Luke Fortune struggled at times. Much improved after the break, however. 6
Killian Clarke
Let the ball slip through his fingertips for McBrearty’s goal and also had a spell on Murphy late on. Not one of Clarke’s better days. 5
Conor Brady
Was put on Michael Langan, who was excellent against Armagh. However, Langan failed to score against Cavan and Brady was assured in possession. 7
Thomas Galligan
His second point typified Cavan’s spirit and he battled hard all day and took some wonderful catches at midfield. 8
James Smith
Named at midfield, but played much further forward as he did against Antrim. Scored 0-3 and might have had a goal before half-time, but Shaun Patton got his fingertips to the shot to divert the ball onto the crossbar. 8
Gerard Smith
Landed a good score and played some brilliant passes in the opening quarter. Less involved in the second half. 6
Gearóid McKiernan
Had McMenamin and Gallagher for company at different times during Sunday’s game. Slow to start, but was hugely influential in the second half and scored 0-3. Might have been awarded an early penalty. 7.5
Conor Moynagh
Operated as a sweeper and Donegal were kept away from goal in the first half. However, Donegal could have scored three or four in the second half. 6
Cormac O’Reilly
Could have taken the shot on before passing McKiernan for Cavan’s early goal chance and also hit some poor wides. Replaced midway through the second half. 5
Paddy Lynch
One of the most exciting talents in Ulster, Donegal couldn’t live with Lynch in the first half as he hit 0-5, with 0-3 coming from play. The decision to move Brendan McCole off Lynch and put Eoghan Ban Gallagher on to Cavan’s full-forward, arguably, was the difference in the second half. 8
Cian Madden
Found himself marked by Caolan Ward, who put Madden on the backfoot with some good runs forward. Failed to score and was replaced with 15 minutes to go. 5.5
Subs:
Martin Reilly
Cavan would have been hoping for a bigger impact from Reilly, who hit 0-2 when introduced against Antrim. 5
Oisin Kiernan
Came on for Madden in the final quarter, but failed to land a blow for the Breffnimen. 5
Caoimhin O’Reilly
Not on long enough to be rated.
Donegal ratings
Shaun Patton
Only three of his kick-outs failed to find a Donegal jersey and he managed to get his fingertips to a James Smith shot in the first half. 8
Caolan Ward
Was solid against Armagh and had another good outing on Sunday. Kept Madden scoreless from play. Seemed to pick up a knock in the second half and was replaced after 50 minutes. 6.5
Brendan McCole
Was Donegal’s hero against Armagh as he shadowed Rian O’Neill, but Paddy Lynch caused him all sorts of problems on Sunday. 5.5
Stephen McMenamin
Detailed to pick up Gearóid McKiernan, McMenamin lost his man for an early goal chance and McKiernan was a handful in the second half. 5.5
Ryan McHugh
Restricted to mostly defensive duties on Sunday. When he did break forward, he was instrumental in a number of scores, including linking up with Murphy to set up Ciaran Thompson’s point. 7
Eoghan Ban Gallagher
Had an early spell on McKiernan before McMenamin took over. Seemed much more comfortable marking Lynch in the second half as he held the Cavan full-forward scoreless from play after the break. 8
Peader Mogan
Acted as Donegal’s sweeper for most of the day. Cavan opted to go direct for the majority of the first half, but Donegal got to grips with them in the second half and Mogan also got forward more late on. 7.5
Hugh McFadden
Donegal’s midfield struggled to have the same impact as they did against Armagh and McFadden was withdrawn in the second half after picking up a head injury. 5
Jason McGee
Found the in-form Thomas Galligan hard to handle as the Cavan midfielder bombed forward several times, hitting 0-2. Improved in the second half. 6.5
Ciaran Thompson
Landed a brilliant score in the first half, but wasn’t as effective after the break and was replaced on the hour mark. 6.5
Shane O’Donnell
A mixed performance from O’Donnell. Marked by Jason McLoughlin, the Cavan defender got forward well and put pressure on O’Donnell throughout. 5.5
Michael Langan
One of Donegal’s best players against Armagh, Langan failed to fire against Cavan and also failed to score. 5
Paddy McBrearty
Shipped a heavy knock in the first half, but it didn’t faze him. Posted 1-4 with 1-1 coming from play and illustrated his undoubted class by killing the game off with Donegal’s second goal. 8
Michael Murphy
Just the presence of Donegal’s skipper near goal seemed to spook the Cavan defence into a mistake which led to O’Donnell’s goal. Converted four frees and another from play. 8
Jamie Brennan (STAR-MAN)
When Cavan had Donegal on the backfoot in the first half, it was Jamie Brennan who managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Landed some superb efforts to match what Paddy Lynch was doing for Cavan at the other end. Finished with 0-4 from play. A fine showing from the Bundoran native. 8.5
Subs:
Caolan McGonagle
Introduced for McFadden early in the second half and showed well to help Donegal break even around in the middle. 7
Odhran McFadden Ferry
Came on for Ward in the second half and picked up fellow substitute Martin Reilly and kept the Cavan attacker scoreless. 7
Conor O’Donnell
Took his goal remarkably well considering he’d no time to react. The strike helped turn the game in Donegal’s favour. 7
Niall O’Donnell
Will claim an assist as his shot at the posts dropped well short, but McBrearty managed to salvage possession and fire Donegal’s second goal. 5
Aaron Doherty
Not on long enough to be rated
Neil McGee
Not on long enough to be rated
Read more: Cavan vs Donegal: Score recap as Tír Chonaill men book their place in Ulster SFC final
Read more: Cork vs Kerry: Score recap as Kingdom progress to Munster SFC final
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