With over half of the team coming from these clubs the South West Antrim fans travelled in large numbers to the Monaghan town to cheer on their friends and neighbours.

The Saffrons led by 0-7 to 0-6 up at half-time but it could, and should, have been a much greater margin had a goal bound shot by Cargin's Tomas McCann's not been saved by Cavan netminder James Reilly.

The Antrim fans must have been slightly worried when their heroes went in just one ahead after dominating for so long, but those fears were soon laid to rest as their Saffron clad heroes came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half.

Five unanswered scores put them back in command but just when it appeared they were home and hosed Cavan got back into the game with a scrambled goal from substitute David Gibney.

When substitute Reilly cut the gap back to just two there were a few anxious moments for the large band of Antrim fans, but they need not have worried as Liam Bradley's men regained control and clinched a final spot against All Ireland champions Tyrone with an excelent point from a free by team captain Paddy Cunningham.

For so long the whipping boys of Ulster football, Antrim's rise has been sure and steady under team manager Liam Bradley and after winning promotion from Division 4 with an unbeaten run in the league they booked a semi-final spot with a win over Donegal two weeks ago.

For those Antrim fans in the 16,500 crowd in Clones it was an evening to remember and just reward for Liam Bradley and his hard working team.
Antrim scorers: Burke 0-1, T McCann 0-1, M McCann 0-2, O'Neill 0-1, Loughery 0-1, Cunningham 0-4, Burke 0-1, Gallagher 0-1, Crozier 0-1.
Cavan scorers: Johnston 0-4, M Reilly 0-1, Cullivan 0-1, Gibney 1-0, L Reilly 0-1

Antrim: P Graham; C Brady, A McLean, K O'Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughery; M McCann, A Gallagher, T O'Neill, K Brady, N McKeever; P Cunningham, S Burke, T McCann.

Cavan: J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides; J McCutcheon, E Keating, P Reilly; N Walsh, C Galligan; S Brady, R Flanagan (capt), C Mackey; M Reilly, R Cullivan, S Johnston