Gowna retained their Cavan senior football championship title with a comprehensive win over Crosserlough in a disappointing county final at Breffni Park yesterday. There was an air of expectancy about this confrontation, as Crosserlough hold the record of seven consecutive senior football titles, the last of which they won in 1972. But the form book pointed to another title for Gowna and this was reflected in the final scoreline. Still, there was a period in the first half when Crosserlough threatened to upset the form book.

In the opening minutes, however, Gowna looked the more confident side and led by 1-4 to 0-1 after 17 minutes, the goal coming from Declan McCabe.

Gowna looked comfortably placed at this stage, but Crosserlough hit back with 1-3 in a four-minute spell, the goal coming from Brendan Tully. It was Tully again who was on target to level the scores.

Then Gowna's county star, Dermot McCabe, replied with two points to give the champions a two-point cushion.

On the stroke of half-time, Crosserlough scored their second goal from midfield player Michael O'Rourke, leaving the champions trailing by 24 to 1-6 and an upset very much on the cards.

There was a much more determined look about Gowna's performance in the second half as they began to reduce the lead. Dermot McCabe scored a goal and Paddy Brady added a second in the 14th minute which gave the champions a 3-9 to 2-4 lead and the result at that stage became a foregone conclusion.