Crosserlough fell agonisingly short as Kilcoo booked a place in the Ulster SFC semi-final.
Cavan senior champions fell to the Down kingpins by just two points, in a game where they received three black cards.
The Cavan champions caught Kilcoo out with a sweet right hook after just three minutes. James Smith finding the Kilcoo net.
Jerome Johnstone sent over the Down champions first score of the game on seven minutes, Brandon Boylan restored the three point lead on 11 minutes. The sides exchanged scores through Callum Rogers and a Dara McVeety free as the game moved into the second-quarter.
Johnstone and Paul Devlin found points to cut the lead to one point. Indeed, Peter Smyth responded for Crosserlough with a Ryan McEnroy free making it 1-3 to five points. Shane McManus made it a two point game five minutes before half-time. Crosserlough's final score of the half.
Two Paul Devlin points (1f) and one from Johnstone had Kilcoo eight points to 1-4 ahead at half-time. Ciaran Brady having received Crosserlough's second black card of the game.
Darryl Brannigan opened the second-half scoring moving Kilcoo two points ahead. However, Crosserlough didn’t lie down. Emmet Boylan responding with a point three minutes later.
A James Smyth mark had the team’s level on 40 minutes. A Paul Devlin mark restored Kilcoo’s lead two minutes later. Devlin converted a free to make it 11 points to 1-9 on 44 minutes.
Indeed Cian Boylan struck back for the Cavan champions with Ryan McEvoy and Dara McVeety exchanging scores. Ciaran Rehill levelled the game on 52 minutes.
Kilcoo needed something big and from the bench emerged Down manager Conor Laverty who produced a big 55th minute point.
Alas, Crosserlough looked to have blown their chance when McVeety received a black card on 56 minutes. However, up stepped Matthew Costello to level the game in the 58th minute.
Man-of-the-match Paul Devlin inched Kilcoo ahead on the hour mark as the Down men ran down the cock. Devlin securing the victory seven minutes into injury time converting a free. Kilcoo winning out 15 points to 1-10.
