Cavan bowed out of the championship following a heavy defeat to Roscommon at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
The game turned into a high-scoring shootout with the Rossies eventually winning out 3-20 to 1-20. Roscommon have reached the preliminary quarter-finals as a result.
Roscommon led 0-2 to 0-1 inside five minutes, 60 seconds later Enda Smith gave the Rossies a two-point cushion with their first score from play.
Gerard Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh subsequently traded scores before points from Oisin Kiernan and Oisin Brady saw Cavan draw level on 13 minutes.
Daire Cregg gave the Rossies a three-point lead on 18 minutes. Three minutes later, a fortuitous goal saw Davy Burke’s men move five points clear.
Diarmuid Murtagh attempted to score for a point but his shot loops over Gary O'Rourke and into the net.
Cavan’s Gerard Smith made it a three-point game on the half-hour mark. Three minutes later, Donie Smith restored the Rossies’ three-point cushion.
Gerard Smith replied for Cavan on the stroke of half-time as the Rossies led 1-11 to 0-10.
Five minutes into the second half, Roscommon’s Ultan Harney made it a five-point game.
Enda Smith carved the opportunity. The 2023 All Star collected possession, held off a challenge from Jason McLoughlin and flicked across goal for Harney to palm home.
Cavan received a lifeline on 53 minutes. Darragh Lovett’s goal reduced the margin to a solitary point.
Roscommon finish strongly
The comeback was short-lived however. Enda Smith replied with a goal for the Rossies 60 seconds later.
Roscommon made it a five-point game on two further occasions, each time Cavan narrowed the gap to four points.
Roscommon finished the game strongly. Scores from Diarmuid Murtagh and Andrew Glennon pushed Roscommon seven points clear six minutes from time.
Two minutes later, Conor Madden could've scored a goal for Cavan but registered a point instead as Roscommon claimed a comfortable victory.
