Despite the disappointment of another championship exit, McCabe praised the commitment of his players and the backing they received from the home support.
“We had a massive effort level, and we’re extremely grateful for the support that came here today,” he said.
“We gave them something to shout about for long periods, but we’re disappointed that we didn’t give them the final 15 minutes that they deserved.”
The Cavan manager also pointed to the impact injuries have had on his squad throughout the campaign.
“We’ve had two lads hospitalised in the last two weeks, and we’ve had a long injury list throughout the year,” he said.
“It’s frustrating for the players because they’ve put in a huge effort and we just didn’t get those final pieces to click.”
McCabe paid tribute to injured duo Evan Crowe and Gearóid McKiernan, highlighting their continued commitment to the county despite lengthy setbacks.
“Evan has had major surgery on his skull, and to see him here today still pushing the lads on says everything about him,” McCabe said.
“Gearóid is making every effort possible to get back playing. The commitment from those lads and the passion they have for Cavan is huge.”