Cavan bowed out of the Tailteann Cup after Down punished the ineffective Breffni in Kingspan Breffni.
Down booked a place in the semi-finals winning out by four points, 1-15 to 0-14. A game where Cavan never led.
Cavan entered the competition as favourites, however Down dominated this quarter-final. The sides exchanged scores early on. Pat Havern with two for Down, Oisin Brady with two for Cavan.
Rory Mason, Liam Kerr and Havern added points as Down led five points to two on 16 minutes. Padraig Faulkner and Ryan Johnson exchanged a point each over the next 60 seconds.
Two Oisin Brady points pulled Cavan back into the game, Havern, Kerr and Mason had their shooting boots on however. A Gearoid McKiernan free and a Oisin Kiernan point saw Down lead nine points to seven at half-time.
However, the expected Cavan surcharge never arrived. Faulkner and Boylan leved the game on 42 minutes, but Down always had an answer. Magill putting Down back in front.
Oisin Brady levelled moments later, but two Havern points had Down in control. Brady and Mason exchanged points as Down led 0-13 to 0-11 on 52 minutes.
As the hosts chased the game, the visitors who had the first goal chance of the game, Patrick McCarthy deciding to fist a point in the end.
Cian Madden and Brady pulled it back to a one point game with 10 minutes remaining. Kerr and Tiernan Madden exchanged points as Down led by one with five minutes to go.
Then the counter-attack hit! Cavan went for broke pushing up and Down came the visitors Magill finding the net on 68 minutes putting Down 1-15 to 0-14 ahead.
Oisin Brady responded with a free, but that was it for the Breffni men.
Rory Mason and Shane Annett added Down scores to seal a 1-7 to 0-14 victory. Down advance to the semi-finals, while Cavan limp out.
