Monaghan finish the better against Cavan

Monaghan 2-15 Cavan 1-16

Monaghan's hurlers came with a fantastic late surge as they edged Cavan in this afternoon's Ulster SHC clash at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Nothing could separate the sides in a competitive opening half. Stephen Lambe edged the Farney men ahead with six well-struck frees, but an injury-time point from Mick O'Gorman levelled for Cavan at 0-08 apiece.

The only real goal chance of the first period went to Cavan, yet Mark McEntee's stinging shot was brilliantly saved by Monaghan goalkeeper Michael McHugh.

After the resumption, the neighbours continued to go at it hammer and tongs.

Eugene Hill's sideline cut saw Cavan pull three points clear (1-11 to 0-11) only for Arthur Hughes to goal at the other end in the 53rd-minute.

Michael Greaney struck the decisive blows for Monaghan in injury-time when he scored a quick 1-01.

Scorers: Monaghan: S Lambe 0-10 (0-8f), M Greaney 1-1, A Hughes 1-0, B McGuigan, P O'Connell, B O'Brien (0-1f), E MacSuibhne 0-1 each

Cavan: E Hill 1-2, K Downes, E Dalton 0-4 (0-4f) each, M O'Gorman 0-3, R O'Hagan 0-2, S Og Brady 0-1

MONAGHAN: M McHugh; A Kerr, J McHugh, P Murphy; J Greene, P O'Connell, D Connolly; B O'Brien, B Phelan; S Lambe, A Hughes, E MacSuibhne; M Greaney, M Dolan, J Lacey.

Subs used: B McGuigan for Greaney, D Duffy for Greene, P Treanor for Lacey, Greaney for MacSuibhne, R Conlon for Murphy.

CAVAN: D Sheridan; M Nolan, D Neary, S Sg Brady; A Sheridan, P Sheridan, A Nelligan; M O'Gorman, J Lafferty; E Hill, K Downes, E Dalton; R O'Hagan, G Clerkin, M McEntee.

Sub used: M O'Connell for Nelligan.

Referee: Declan Magee (Down).