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Literally any other team would have been a satisfactory draw for Cavan, but if there's an all Ulster pairing possible, out of the hat she'll come. So deflating and such an anti climax, super 8s would have been a great developer for the team and manager. A typically impotent exit, following the usual script when we play Tyrone, could actually send us backwards a few steps. You'd hope that the bit of steel we've been able to show at times this summer will at least see us emerge with a an enhanced reputation, but as for the result it's a foregone conclusion I'm afraid.

Aaaaand there it is. Typical. You'd obviously remain slightly hopeful in a year we got the Roscommon and Monaghan monkeys off our backs but the potential for a morale crushing experience looms large because Tyrone always seem to just strangle the life out of us. Here's hoping but that's a very deflating draw overall, sickening actually.

I have a terrible feeling that we'll land Tyrone. It's probably just my imagination but it always seems that if there's an Ulster team in the qualifier hat that we'd rather avoid, we surely end up with them. The very last thing this team needs right now is Tyrone in a do-or-die match, another limp display could set our lads back a long way.

Well done and congratulations to Donegal, by far the better and more composed side, and exerted full control from pillar to post - or retook it easily when it mattered.

Cavan looked extremely nervy from the off and were a world away from the team that played in earlier rounds. Very subdued, no fire in the belly until Donegal eased off, seemingly perplexed by the conundrum in front of them and never really went for it with the exception of the sub Murray. No shame losing to Donegal with their match winners all over the park but Cavan didn't seem to have any belief at all. Hopefully it was just the occasion getting to them and they can pick it up to make the super 8s because that would represent a very fine season overall. Very weirdly flat performance but it's a good learning experience and the season need not end on this low note.

I always wonder about Galligan in the goals too, great shot stopper but any time I see Cavan his kick outs are very, very patchy and he seems no better than 50-50 off frees too.

Well done Donegal, good luck for the rest of the season.

Cavan being written off is music to Mickey Graham's ears. He appears for the most part to be a canny operator and will be more than happy in the long grass for this one. He'll have a plan worked out and the players well primed with maybe a surprise or two up his sleeve. I wouldn't stick my neck out enough to claim Cavan will win it but I'd at least go as far as to say that if Donegal are ahead at the final whistle they'll have been made work for it a bit more than some might think.

Almost everyone is saying this will be tight with Donegal to shade it by a few points in the end.

That's hardly writing Cavan off.

I meant more the view from outside both counties, Donegal big favourites and attention mostly on them. Sure I know you Donegal bucks be fierce wily in general. 

Cavan being written off is music to Mickey Graham's ears. He appears for the most part to be a canny operator and will be more than happy in the long grass for this one. He'll have a plan worked out and the players well primed with maybe a surprise or two up his sleeve. I wouldn't stick my neck out enough to claim Cavan will win it but I'd at least go as far as to say that if Donegal are ahead at the final whistle they'll have been made work for it a bit more than some might think.

It's worth remembering that last week was Graham's second ever championship game in senior intercounty management. McGeeney has been hard at it for a decent while without making too much apparent progress and I fully expect him to over-think it for the replay and focus too much on stopping Cavan. I'd say our boys have more scope to improve and continue evolving whereas I'm not sure Armagh have another gear. I can see Cavan taking it by three or four.

Massive step up and stride forward for Cavan. Wobbled a bit in the second half and went too conservative at times but ultimately saw off the threat with a few well-timed scores to keep Monaghan at arm's length.
Free-taking was not an issue today for Cavan but kickouts were terrible all evening.

I think Ray Galligan might be playing for Monaghan!

A real crispness, organisation and confidence to Cavan today. Should see this home now and it'd be a great step forward for the team under Graham in his first year.

Gary Mac, Mane and now Derek Origi. Three absolute classic, harrowing derby day hole-sickenings for Everton. When will their torment end?

I have a sneaky feeling Cavan might just survive in Division 1 by the skin of our teeth. We have a lot of seasoned performers and some returning AFAIK, a new manager bounce and a guy that seems to be going about things the right way, as well as experience in the top flight two seasons ago when we didn't do overly poorly, all things considered. I wouldn't write us off just yet. We might even completely realign the stars and beat Roscommon.

Aha, I didn't know that. A real Battle of the Hangovers...

It might be good for county pride. A rising tide lifts all boats! I'd be proud for any Cavan club to make its mark in Ulster but in Castlerahan's case it's hard to see them being overly interested in it, and they're playing the Derry champions to boot, but you never know.

Unfortunately, the breakthrough nature of the win and the celebrating and so on makes it unlikely they'll be too focused on the Ulster club? Might it be another fast exit for the Cavan representatives?