Tyrone's defence had Seanie Johnston in their pocket but could not contain the awesome David Givney.
2014 was a tough year for the footballers of Cavan.
The Breffni were dumped out of Ulster at the first hurdle and negotiated one qualifier before being annihilated by Roscommon, 0-16 to 0-5. A heap of retirements followed, including one from an unlikely lad.
David Givney had been in with the senior side for five seasons and, at the age of 24, needed a break.
He "stepped back" from the fray after starting a new job and struggling to cope with an injury he picked up with Ballymun Kickhams, his Dublin-based club.
In December of 2015, his exile ended after a year. He returned to the Cavan senior panel along with Seanie Johnston.
This afternoon, in rain-soaked Clones, Johnston was neutralised. Mattie Donnelly and Ronan O'Neill were in fine form and scoring points. Cavan's scoring accuracy was well below 50%. And still, Tyrone could not get the job done.
The reason was loud and large - Givney.
The footballer that once had to be encouraged away from the half forward line was everything a targetman should be. He held onto long balls, drew frees, fed teammates in support and plagued The Red Hand all day. He also scored twice and was unlucky not to get another.
Cavan fancied the Tyrone fullbacks as soft under the high ball. Many would argue that they drew from that well too frequently but the final scoreline - 0-16 to Cavan's 3-7 - justifies the tactic. All three Cavan goals came from pumping it towards the square.
Givney's first came when he showed composure after a scramble in the square. His shot slipped between Cathal McCarron's legs for a perfect start.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_GAA/status/744520121234956288
He came close to a second before the break as he outjumped Michael O'Neill and one of his defenders to flick the ball back towards the goal. The spin of a ball saw it skitter wide but more trouble was to come.
Already aware of Givney's presence, Tyrone failed to shut him down. He flicked on a 65-metre free and Conor Moynagh
just got it over the line.
https://twitter.com/unofficialgaa/status/744530177657610241
Tyrone were scoring in gluts while keeping Cavan quiet and so it flowed in the second half. Johnston barely got a look-in and the Tyrone defenders were not giving away any frees within his kicking range.
It looked as though Mickey Harte's men would be drenched, bruised but Ulster finalists as the final minutes approached.
Cavan knew they had an ace, though, and they did not hesitate in flashing it - get it to Givney. High balls rained in but an intelligent, fisted pass unlocked Tyrone this time. Up it went, Givney versus three men...
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_GAA/status/744541180545859584
Of course he got there.
Darren McCurry had a 45 to get Tyrone over the line but his effort was wide. Tyrone have a couple of weeks before the replay and they have a lot of work to do to keep a lid on a man Cavan football almost lost at 24.
