Cavan opened their Tailteann Cup campaign with a convincing 2-20 to 1-14 victory over Laois at Kingspan Breffni.
The hosts led 1-10 to 1-8 at half-time before a dominant second half display saw Mickey Graham’s men score a nine-point victory.
The sides traded two points each inside the opening nine minutes. James Smith and Ryan O’Neill on target for the hosts.
Gerard Smith edged Cavan back in front on ten minutes before Evan O’Carroll's goal within 60 seconds saw Laois move two points clear.
Laois pushed three points clear on three further occasions, each time Cavan reduced the margin to two points.
The Breffni men were awarded a penalty on 24 minutes and Paddy Lynch finished to the net. Suddenly the hosts led by a point.
Conor Brady gave Cavan a three-point cushion nine minutes leader before Laois registered two of the next three scores making it a two-point game at the break.
Cavan were brimming with exuberance after the restart. The hosts landed seven points before Laois opened their second-half account.
Tiarnan Madden (two), Gearoid McKiernan, Cian Madden, Oisin Kiernan, Gerard Smith and Paddy Lynch kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Kieran Lillis ended the drought with a point on 59 minutes before Paul Kingston brought it back to a five-point game two minutes from time.
The comeback was short-lived though. Jonathan McCabe’s goal three minutes into injury time sealed a comfortable win for Cavan.
