McKENNA CUP: Cavan 1-13 Monaghan 1-12: CAVAN HELD out for the narrowest of victories last night in Inniskeen for two points that could see them through to the semi-final of the McKenna Cup in a game that at one stage they looked like winning comfortably.

Cavan got off to the better start and opened a four-point lead within seven minutes with points by Keith Fannin, Michael Brennan, Thomas Corr and Eoin Smith.

Monaghan got off the mark in the 10th minute through Ronan Meegan. Cavan continued to dictate the pace in the second quarter and could have opened a substantial lead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Michael Brennan, but Mark Keogh saved his second penalty of the McKenna Cup to deny Brennan.

Cavan went on to lead at half-time by 1-9 to 0-4, Brennan getting the goal, to make some amends for his fluffed penalty, just on the half hour.

In the second half Monaghan were transformed. They began to win possession in midfield and whittled Cavan’s lead away with an unanswered goal and five points between the sixth and 19th minutes to level the game for the first time. Gavin Flanagan got the goal in the ninth minute of the half.

That was as good as it got though, with Cavan regaining the lead and just about keeping their noses in front in a close finish, although had Monaghan converted a late penalty it would have been different.

CAVAN: J Reilly; P Cahill, E Smith (0-1), S Jordan; D O'Dowd, A Clarke, D O'Reilly; T Corr (0-1), P O'Reilly (0-1); K Fannin (0-4), A O'Reilly, R Flanagan (0-1); B Fitzpatrick, M Brennan (1-1), C Mackey (0-4, 2f). Subs: M McKeever for O'Dowd, R Cullivan for A O'Reilly, C Galligan for Corr, G Pierson for Brennan, D Sheridan for Smith.

MONAGHAN:M Keogh; K Duffy, S Driver, D Connolly; D Mone, O Duffy, P Kieran (0-1); D Clerkin, B McKenna; G Flanagan (1-0), S Smyth, G Boyd; P Finlay (0-8, 4f), C Woods, R Meegan (0-1). Subs: M Downey (0-1) for Boyd, J Turley (0-1) for Woods, G Doogan for Connolly, M McElroy for Meegan, G Ward for Flanagan.

Referee:C Brannigan (Down).