MONAGHAN staged a vastly improved second-half performance to book their place in the semi-final of the Ulster under-21 championship at the expense of Cavan in Clones yesterday. It was a disappointing game that really only came to life in the third quarter.

The sides were level three times during a very low key first half with the standard of play not helped by a heavy pitch and they went in level at the break at 0-4 each.

The introduction of substitutes Martin McElroy and Darren Bishop at the start of the second half transformed Monaghan and they took over completely in a very one sided third quarter to hit a goal and five points without reply to effectively seal victory at that stage.

Conor McManus got the goal in the 9th minute and Monaghan might well have had a couple more but for some excellent work by Cavan keeper Simon Delaney.

Ray Cullivan pulled back a brace for Cavan in the last quarter but they never looked like turning it around.

Cavan finished the game with 14 players when Ronan Flanagan was red carded in the 4th minute of injury time.

MONAGHAN P McBennett; C Hughes, D Hughes, C Brady; M McNally, J Ward, D Mooney; E Greenan, B McKenna; E Duffy (02), B O'Brien (0-3), M McKenna; C Hanratty (0-2), S Smith (0-2), C McManus (1-1) Subs M McElroy (0-1) for M McKenna, D Bishop (0-1) for C Brady, N Treanor for O'Brien, R Gorman for Mooney CAVAN S Delaney; F Slowey, P Reilly, D McCabe; F Jordan, D Sheridan, C Geoghan; M McDonald (0-1), J Cunningham; M Reilly (0-1), R Flanagan, C Mackey; R Cullivan (0-4), R Galligan, G Collins Subs L Duignan for Collins, E McCormick for Geoghan, A Duignan for Mackey Referee G Corrigan (Down)