Under-21 Football Ulster Final/ Down 2-14 Cavan 2-12: Down won the Ulster Under-21 football title for the first time in 20 years when they defeated Cavan after extra-time in the final in Clones on Saturday. It is Down's third time to achieve honours in this grade of football.

However, it was a close run thing after Cavan at one stage looked like capturing the title when they took the lead through a Kieran Galligan point with six minutes of normal time remaining. But Down fought back and substitute Marcus Miskelly forced the game into extra time with a point on 56 minutes.

The Down mentors then produced their final trump card with the introduction of 17-year-old Joe Ireland to midfield.

He produced an outstanding display and contributed two vital points, as Down shot five points without reply in the first period of extra time.

Although Cavan fought back to get to within a point of their opponents, Down held out and deservedly qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final.

DOWN: D Alder; E Henry, M Rooney, N McEvoy; D Neeson, G Dobbin, D Cunningham; A Rodgers (0-1), M McClean; C Laverty (0-2), A Carr (0-1), N McArdle; M Poland (0-4), J McGovern (1-2), J Brown (1-1). Subs: J Colgan for G Dobbin (36 mins), J Ireland (0-2) for M McClean (52 mins), M Miskelly (0-1) for N McArdle (55 mins), D McCabe for J Brown (79 mins).

CAVAN: P Galligan; G Collins, P Cahill, P O'Reilly; D McInerney, A Gaynor (1-0), D Sheridan; P Brady, L Mulvey (0-1); M McKeever (0-4), S Cole (0-1), C Galligan (0-1); M Lyng, P Monaghan (0-1), S Johnston (0-4). Subs: A Clarke for M Lyng (23 mins), N Madden for S Johnston (49 mins), S Johnston for S Cole (60 mins). P Brady (1-0) for G Collins (70 mins), K Donoghoe for D McInerney (79) mins), C Fitzpatrick for P Brady (82 mins).

RED CARDS: Down: N McEvoy (24 mins), M Rooney (39 mins).

YELLOW CARDS: Down: G Dobbin (20 mins), M Rooney (25 mins), N McArdle (37 mins).

Referee: S McGonigle (Donegal).