CONOR MADDEN netted a crucial goal to lead Cavan to their first Division 2 win of the season. The 2020 Ulster SFC final goal hero intercepted Louth keeper Niall McDonnell’s kick-out in the 63rd minute before lobbing into the net. Madden’s magic propelled Cavan into the lead for the first time in the match. Then, less than 90 seconds later, McDonnell’s misery was compounded when Gearóid McKiernan’s effort dropped short and under the crossbar. The Wee County bent but did not break down the straight and Ciarán Murphy’s neat point on 66 kept them in touch. But with Killian Clarke shoring up their defence, the Ulstermen held out. The Breffni played into a gusting wind in the first half and held Louth to just a two-point lead, 0-12 to 1-7, at the interval. Cavan should have been in front at the interval but rookie Darragh Lovett saw his tame 27th-minute spot-kick saved. Louth were destined to pay for the concession of three soft goals with Cavan’s opener coming from corner-back Jason McLoughlin on 14 minutes to even up the scores at 1-2 to 0-5. The sides were level three times in the first half and were deadlocked on 45 but points from Sam Mulroy and Liam Jackson edged the visitors in front. A monster two-pointer by Madden gained parity at 1-13 to 0-16 for Cavan before the game was turned on its head. Cavan 3-15 - 0-18 Louth CAVAN: G O’Rourke 0-1, 45; N Carolan, B O’Connell, J McLoughlin 1-0; P Faulkner 0-1, D McVeety 0-4, Oisín Kiernan (Castlerahan); J Smith 0-2, E Crowe 0-1; L Fortune 0-1, G Smith, C Brady; D Lovett, G McKiernan 1-2, 2f, O Brady 0-1. Subs: S McEvoy for Lovett 40 mins; C Madden 1-2, 1tp for Faulkner 50; C Madden for O Brady 55; K Clarke for Crowe 59; R O’Neill for G Smith 67. LOUTH: N McDonnell; D Campbell, P Lynch, D McKenny; C McKeever, L Jackson 0-2, D Nally; T Durnin 0-2, 1tp, C Grimes; F Malone, C Downey 0-2, A McDonnell 0-2, 1tp; V Leddy, S Mulroy 0-6, 3f, R Burns 0-3, 1tp. Subs: L Grey for Malone 40 mins P Matthews for Leddy 44; C Keenan for Grimes 44; C Murphy 0-1 for Nally 52; C Byrne for McDonnell 52; P McStravick for McKeever 62. REFEREE: Paul Faloon (Down).