It was a game that had a championship feel as the atmosphere built before throw-in at Dr. Hyde Park.
There has been very little between the sides in recent years and this most recent fixture was no different.
Roscommon started the better side. Enda Smith, Cian McKeon, Ultan Harney, and a two-pointer from Conor Cox giving them daylight inside the opening 10 minutes.
However, Cavan fought back, scoring three points on the bounce. Gearoid McKiernan’s 21st minute score bringing the sides level on seven points each.
Two late scores from Conor Hand and Ciaran Murtagh gave Roscommon a slender lead going in at the interval.
Roscommon opened up a three point lead at the beginning of the second period. However, Dara McVeety’s two-pointer on 41 minutes blew the game wide open.
Gearoid McKiernan’s two-pointer a couple of minutes later gave Cavan the lead for the first time, and set themselves up for victory.
Roscommon however, kept the fight up and found themselves back in front again before Cavan responded, with Barry Donnelly and Sean McEvoy giving the away side a strong lead going into the closing stages.
Diarmuid Murtagh got a consolation score on the hooter as Cavan claim a huge victory at Dr. Hyde Park. Cavan winning out 22 points to 20.