Cavan were crowned division four champions after beating Tipperary 2-10 to 0-15 in the Allianz football league decider at Croke Park.
Cavan led 1-5 to 0-7 at the half-time break and held off a late resurgence from Tipperary to win by the smallest of margins.
The sides were deadlocked at three points each on 17 minutes; Gearoid McKiernan, Paddy Lynch and Conor Moynagh scoring a point each for the Breffni men.
Seven minutes later Cavan scored the game’s opening goal. Stephen Smith set up Paddy Lynch who’s low shot found the net and Cavan were now four points clear.
Tipperary responded impressively with three points from midfielder Mark Russell and one from Jack Kennedy. Suddenly the sides were level deep into stoppage time.
Cavan were under pressure but captain Raymond Galligan ended a 17-minute scoring drought when he slotted over a 45-metre kick on the stroke of half-time giving Cavan a one-point lead.
The first seven minutes of the second half saw the sides trade two points each before Kevin Fahey gave Tipperary a two-point lead with 15 minutes remaining.
Cavan restored parity thanks to points from Stephen Smith and Paddy Lynch before moving three points clear with eight minutes remaining when Lynch found the net.
A minute later, Conor Sweeney replied with a point for Tipperary making it a two-point game heading into injury time.
Three minutes into injury time, Tipperary’s Stephen Quirke saw his shot come crashing off the crossbar before Conor Sweeney reduced the margin to single point.
Tipperary couldn’t find the equaliser as Cavan held on for a one-point victory and claimed silverware in Croke Park for the first time since 1952.
