Cavan 1-16 Monaghan 2-15

A goal five minutes into second half injury-time by Michael Greaney helped propel Monaghan past the challenge of Cavan in a frenetic Ulster SHC clash at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Greaney's late, late blast broke Cavan hearts in a game which saw the teams level on eight occasions.

Underdogs Cavan threatened to tear up the script with a spirited display which lent them the look of winners in a tense final quarter.

The game was a tense, fractious affair with Cavan selector Michael Wall sent to the dug out in the 25th minute by referee Declan Magee after arguing a decision a little fervently.

There was never more than two points between the sides in the opening half and it was no surprise that the teams were tied at the break, 0-08 apiece.

Earlier, a point blank save by Monaghan goalkeeper Michael McHugh prevented Mark McEntee from finding the net in the 36th minute.

Stephen Lambe was Monaghan's top-scorer on the day and he fired over six frees in the first half only for Mick O'Gorman to rifle over a 39th equaliser for the hosts.

The second half was no less evenly balanced but neither side had the guile or the consistency to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

A brilliant sideline cut by Eugene Hill hoisted Cavan into a 1-11 to 0-11 lead, but Arthur Hughes (53 mins) netted to leave the spoils in the melting pot once more.

Eugene Hill pointed smartly in the 62nd minute to ease Cavan into a 1-16 to 1-12 lead, but Greaney broke the hosts' hearts with a fine goal and an opportunist point eight minutes into injury-time.

CAVAN: Darren Sheridan, Mark Nolan, Daithí Neary, Sean Óg Brady (0-01), Anthony Sheridan, Paul Sheridan, Andrew Nelligan, Mick O'Gorman (0-03), Joe Lafferty, Eugene Hill (1-02), Kevin Downes (0-04, all frees), Edward Dalton (0-04, all frees), Ronan O'Hagan (0-02), Gerard Clerkin, Mark McEntee.

Sub: Mickey O'Connell for Andrew Nelligan

MONAGHAN: Michael McHugh, Aidan Kerr, Jim McHugh, Paul Murphy, Johnny Greene, Pat O'Connell (0-01), David Connolly, Bernard O'Brien (0-01, free), Brian Phelan, Stephen Lambe (0-10, eight frees), Arthur Hughes (1-00), Eanna MacSuibhne (0-01), Michael Greaney (1-01), Michael Dolan, Jim Lacey.

Subs: Brian McGuigan (0-01) for Michael Greaney, Daniel Duffy for Johnny Greene, Peter Treanor for Jim Lacey, Michael Greaney for Eanna MacSuibhne, Ronan Conlon for Paul Murphy.

Referee: Declan Magee (Down).