FLASHBACK: 2020 Dublin v cavan

Dublin are on the road this Sunday to take on Cavan in a winner-takes-all clash at Kingspan Breffni Park, with the winner’s summer continuing and the loser's summer coming to an end.

Championship meetings between the two are rare, so Conor Martin has looked back at a memorable performance from Dublin against the Ulstermen- a 1-24 to 0-12 win in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2020.

Cavan arrived at Croke Park carrying the momentum of a memorable Ulster triumph and, for a time, looked capable of asking serious questions of Dublin. But while the Breffni men started brightly, Dublin's composure, accuracy and patience gradually took hold as Dessie Farrell's side moved another step closer to history.

The opening exchanges were lively. Martin Reilly burst forward to open the scoring inside seconds, and Cavan matched Dublin score-for-score during an entertaining first ten minutes. James Smith, a late inclusion, added another before Ulster final hero Thomas Galligan curled over an excellent point to level matters.

Dublin settled quickly. Ciarán Kilkenny, Brian Fenton and Robbie McDaid all found their range before Con O'Callaghan opened his account. Dean Rock then produced one of his trademark scoring bursts, landing three points to help establish a cushion as the champions began to dictate possession.

To Cavan's credit, they refused to let the game get away from them. Gearóid McKiernan and Ciarán Brady kept the scoreboard moving while their defence worked tirelessly to deny goal opportunities. Dublin were content to take the percentage option, with Kilkenny notably choosing a point rather than forcing a goal chance late in the half.

There were opportunities at both ends before the break. Niall Scully was denied after good work from McDaid, while Cavan felt aggrieved when Jonny Cooper escaped further punishment after halting a promising Martin Reilly attack.

At 0-12 to 0-07, the game remained alive at half-time. However, Dublin emerged after the restart with greater purpose. The goal chances began to arrive, even if the finishing touch proved elusive. Kilkenny saw a goal-bound effort brilliantly diverted over the bar by Reilly, while Padraig Faulkner produced an outstanding recovery challenge to deny O'Callaghan.

Despite Cavan's resilience, Dublin gradually tightened their grip. Kilkenny, Fenton and O'Callaghan continued to pick off scores, while Conor Madden's excellent point was Cavan's only score of the third quarter.

A late rally from Cavan briefly reduced the gap, but Dublin had the final word. Relentless pressure forced a turnover before Dean Rock squared for Robbie McDaid to palm home the game's only goal.

Further scores from Fenton, Rock and Costello rounded off the win. Cavan's remarkable 2020 journey deserved enormous credit, while for Dublin, the focus quickly turned to the next challenge, which was the pursuit of a sixth consecutive Sam Maguire, completed in the All-Ireland final win against Mayo later that month.

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Michael Fitzsimons, David Byrne, Jonny Cooper; Eoin Murchan, John Small, Robert McDaid (1-02); Brian Fenton (0-04), James McCarthy; Niall Scully, Ciaran Kilkenny (0-04, 1m), Seán Bugler; Paddy Small (0-02, 1m), Con O'Callaghan (0-04), Dean Rock (0-06, 2f)

Subs: Brian Howard (0-01) for Bugler (48), Philly McMahon for Cooper (51), Paul Mannion for Paddy Small (54), Cormac Costello (0-01) for Scully (63), Colm Basquel for Rock (70)

Cavan: Raymond Galligan; Jason McLoughlin, Padraig Faulkner, Killian Clarke; Gerard Smith, Ciarán Brady (0-01), Luke Fortune; Thomas Galligan (0-01), Killian Brady; Martin Reilly (0-03), Gearóid McKiernan (0-01, 1f), Oisín Kiernan (0-02); Conor Madden (0-01), Chris Conroy (0-01, 1f), James Smith (0-02)  

Subs: Conor Smith for Killian Brady (17), Stephen Murray for Conroy (34), Niall Murray for Clarke (45), Conor Brady for Conor Smith (51), Stephen Smith for Madden (63)

Ref: Ciaran Branagan (Down)