Antrim player ratings
Michael Byrne
Thrown in at the deep end following the departure of Oisin Kerr and the Rossa clubman acquitted himself well in the first half and made a fine save from Cormac O’Reilly. However, Cavan’s press made it harder for him to find his men in the second half. 6
Eoghan McCabe
Was tasked with picking up James Smith and the Cavan man had plenty of joy in dragging McCabe out of position in the early stages and kicked a point. A tough afternoon for the St Gall’s man. 5.5
Peter Healy
Any defender would have struggled to get to grips with Paddy Lynch on Saturday and Peter Healy was asked to sacrifice his attacking instincts to do a man-marking job. It was a move which backfired for Antrim. 5.5
Read more: Score recap as Cavan defeat Antrim by 13 points in the Ulster SFC quarter-final
Dermot McAleese
Scored a cracking point, but was very fortunate not to pick up a second booking. Tried to keep tabs on Cormac O’Reilly and also missed a late goal chance. 5.5
Paddy McAleer
Stuck to the task gamely and can be satisfied with his efforts. Never threw the towel in and brought the challenge to Cavan even when the game was up. Also scored a tasty point from play. 7
James Laverty
Seemed caught in two minds too often. When he picked up Gearoid McKiernan, the space opened up in front of the Cavan full-forward line. McKiernan finished with 1-2, but missed plenty. 5.5
Marc Jordan
Like Healy, Antrim needed Jordan to use his pace to burst forward and make runs off the shoulder. Had a spell trying to mark Gerard Smith, but came more involved in the second half. 6.5
Kevin Small
Antrim were outbattled by Cavan in the middle third and Kevin Small’s lack of experience in the Championship arena probably counted against him. Kicked a good score and worked hard throughout. 6
Michael McCann
A day to forget for the veteran midfielder. He was struggling with the pace and power of Cavan long before getting the line. His second yellow was harsh, but it made no difference to the outcome of the game. 5
Ryan Murray
Antrim’s best player on the day by some distance. Missed a few early on, but kept his composure to score his side’s first after 24 minutes and finished with 0-3 from play. 7.5
Conor Stewart
The Ballymena man was a late call-up and his lack of game time was evident. Enjoyed some bright moments as well and will come on for Saturday’s game. 5.5
Ruairi McCann
Pulled up early on with what looked to be a hamstring injury. No rating.
Odhran Eastwood
Cut a frustrated figure for much of the first half. Antrim were on the back foot for much of the opening 35 minutes and Eastwood couldn’t get into the game. Replaced at half-time. 5
Conor Murray
Played as an inside forward for the majority of the game, but got little change from Padraig Faulkner. Kicked a free in the second half, but his man also scored a point. 6
Tomas McCann
The Cargin ace failed to fire on Saturday. With Cavan dominating possession, McCann simply couldn’t get on enough ball to have an impact and was replaced at the break. 5
Subs
Jamie Gribbin
Came on for the injured Ruairi McCann after 13 minutes and looked lively, although he had to spend much of the time at the wrong end of the pitch. 5.5
Paddy McBride
Has been carrying an injury in recent weeks and didn’t make an impact when he was brought on Eastwood in the second half. 5
Declan Lynch
Might have considered himself unlucky not to start and put himself about plenty in the second half. 6
Barry McCormick
Came on for Laverty in the closing stages, but the game was already gone from Antrim at that stage. 5
Patrick McCormick
The Moneyglass defender came on for McCabe late on and will hope for more minutes in the Tailteann Cup. 5
Cavan player ratings
Raymond Galligan
Morgan, Patton and Beggan might be more high-profile, but Raymond Galligan is an elite goalkeeper also. Kick-outs were superb and he also nailed a long-range free. 8
Jason McLoughlin
Probably the only Cavan defender who lost his individual battle with Ryan Murray scoring three from play, but McLoughlin also landed a point himself. 6.5
Padraig Faulkner
A traditional full-back, Faulkner knew when to follow Conor Murray and when to mind the house. Also got forward for a well-taken score in the second half. 8
Killian Brady
The Mullahoran ace would have taken great satisfaction out of holding St Enda’s attacker Odhran Eastwood scoreless in the first half. Also ensured Jamie Gribbin didn’t get a score in the second half. 8
Luke Fortune
Found himself picking up Paddy McAleer for the most part and enjoyed a good tussle with the Ballymena man. A solid effort from the Cavan Gaels defender. 7
Killian Clarke
Marc Jordan failed to have his usual impact on the game and much of that was because Killian Clarke was his shadow for the majority of the contest. 7.5
Conor Brady
Like most of his defensive colleagues, Brady enjoyed a good day at the office with Antrim struggling to break down a well-drilled rear guard. 7
Thomas Galligan
Hit one kick-pass to nobody in the second half and it was about all he done wrong all afternoon. Took a superb mark which led to McKiernan’s point from play. 8
James Smith
A real workhorse in the middle third, Smith isn’t afraid to get stuck in and he took his point well early on. 7.5
Gerard Smith
On another day, Gerard Smith might have been man-of-the-match. Landed three points from play and went through a ton of work. Excellent performance. 8.5
Gearoid McKiernan
It is hard to pick holes at a performance when someone has scored 1-2, but McKiernan was wasteful as well and Cavan will need him firing in the provincial semi-final. 7
Conor Moynagh
Dropped back to offer extra cover for the defence and also got forward well in the second half. A decent effort from Moynagh. 7
Cormac O’Reilly
Saw his early goal chance well saved by Michael Byrne. Landed one point from play and was involved in a number of other scores for his teammates. 7
Paddy Lynch (STAR-MAN)
A Championship debut to remember. Paddy Lynch already announced his arrival in the League final win over Tipperary and he continued that form into Saturday’s clash with Antrim. Converted five frees both with and against a tricky breeze, took his mark well and hit two points from play. Also unselfishly laid the ball off for McKiernan’s goal. 9
Cian Madden
Might not have landed a point himself, but Madden was the link man in several of Cavan’s scores, especially in the first half. 7
Subs
Chris Conroy
Came on for Killian Brady for the final 15 minutes and fared well in defence. 6.5
Martin Reilly
Hit the free which Lynch collected to set-up Cavan’s goal and kicked two points from play. A fine cameo. 7.5
Caoimhin O’Reilly
In for Cian Madden for the final few minutes, but didn’t have a chance to make much of an impact. 5
Ciaran Brady - not on long enough to be rated
Ryan O’Neill - not on long enough to be rated
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