Cavan came through a battle with neighbours Leitrim in Abbottstown this afternoon to claim the Allianz Hurling League Division 3B title and secure promotion in the process.

Rian Delaney struck the decisive point in the fifth minute of injury-time to seal the Breffni men’s 0-17 to 0-16 victory and ensure that they’ll be hurling in Division 3A next season.

Ollie Bellew’s team had made the better start to the derby in the capital, with Kilkenny native Canice Maher firing them towards a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after 10 minutes. Sean Markem and Gavin O’Hagan pulled back points for Leitrim but it was their Ulster counterparts that moved four clear from there and they’d hold a 0-11 to 0-8 advantage at the break.

In what were soaking wet conditions, Cavan had their lead at four again after the turnaround thanks to Nicholas Kenny’s point but Leitrim came with a push in the closing 10 minutes to make for an enthralling finish.

Micheál Dervan and O’Hagan (two frees) shot the points that looked to have this decider headed for extra time prior to Delaney’s late intervention for the Blues.

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