Two first half goals for 14-man Cavan proved key in this impressive victory over a disappointing Fermanagh side in Brewster Park.

The goals came from man of the match Thomas Galligan and Padraig Faulkner which pushed the winners to a 2-05 to 0-07 lead at the break.

But the expected Fermanagh revival never happened as Cavan consolidated their superiority and the loss of corner-back Killian Brady to a yellow and a black card did not halt their gallop.

Marksman Sean Quigley got the bulk of Fermanagh's scores from frees but they will rue 13 wides and never looked like overhauling their lively neighbours.

Cavan got a sensational start when athletic midfielder Thomas Galligan won the throw-in and went on a surging run through the centre of the Fermanagh defence.

He dealt with three hefty challenges before hitting a cracking goal after just ten seconds.

It was the perfect fillip and Galligan added another point a minute later.

Gearoid McKiernan quickly added to tally with two smart points to put Cavan 1-03 to 0-00 up after eight minutes.

Ryan Jones got Fermanagh off the mark with a well-struck point in the ninth minute.

The home side were settling into the match a bit better and the margin was reduced to two points when Quigley pointed to leave Cavan leading by 1-04 to 0-05 in the 24th minute.

Ultan Kelm is tackled by James Smith

But a dreadful fumble by a Fermanagh defender saw the ball go loose to Galligan on the edge of the Fermanagh square.

Galligan crossed the ball soccer style across the square and full-back Padraig Faulkner side footed the ball to the net.

Fermanagh hit back with two points from Darragh McGurn and Quigley but Galligan punched a point to leave Cavan leading by 2-05 to 0-07 at the break as wasteful Fermanagh hit nine wides.

The Ernesiders elected to use their biggest threat, Ultan Kelm, as a man-marker on McKiernan which blunted their attack.

Cavan took the initiative on the resumption and Jason McLoughlin arrowed over a fine point.

That set the tone for a pretty one-sided second half as Cavan outscored their opponents by 0-11 to 0-08.

The winners were always able to get their scores with ease while Fermanagh repeatedly failed to break down a well- organised Cavan rearguard.

An impressive win for Cavan who look like they could make a real impression in this competition.

Fermanagh: S McNally; R O’Callaghan, J Cassidy, L Flanagan; J McMahon (0-01), U Kelm, D McCusker; R Jones (0-02), J McDade; J Largo Ellis, R Lyons, A Breen; S McGullion, D McGurn (0-04), S Quigley (0-06f).

Subs: C Corrigan for S McGullion (12), C Jones for J McDade (22), J Reihill for D McCusker (46), R McCaffrey for R O’Callaghan (57), O Kelm for a Breen (59).

Cavan: R Galligan; C Madden, P Faulkner (1-0), K Darcy; J McLoughlin (0-01), K Clarke, C Brady (0-01); T Galligan (1-05), J Smith; O Kiernan, G McKiernan (0-06), G Smith; C Brady, P Lynch (0-02f), N Carolan.

Subs: C O’Reilly (0-01) for Ciaran Brady (ht), M Reilly for C Madden (52), L Fortune for N Carolan (54), O Brady for J Smith (55), M Argue for P Lynch (66).

Referee: P Faloon (Down).