When old friends like Cavan and Monaghan meet in Clones, neither county need worry about old enemies. So after a little acclimatisation and loosening of the nerves, this was a game that tempted to raise temperatures well beyond the comfort zone.

Only it didn't, deciding instead to run its course in the great wide open and end with all the decisiveness of a game of snap. With so much at stake, and not just a place in the Ulster final, there was always the danger that neither side would hit the sort of heights which often makes an afternoon in Clones worth the hassle of entry.

The setting, the crowd, even the pace of the minor match provided the perfect stage - but there would be no real headline act and a surprisingly low volume of rock and roll. Cavan emerged as two-point winners, but could have gone down by the same without much adjustment to the flow of play.

Rarely will two teams perform so similarly and with such an even share of the good, bad and ugly. Monaghan let any sort of consistency slip without warning, and Cavan too let themselves slip out of the game for long periods. Still, neither side lost touch.

That Monaghan were chasing the equalising point going into the final minute was hardly surprising, and that Dermot McCabe provided the safety for Cavan was most fitting. Going into the final 10 minutes, the sides were tied at 0-10 and it was time for winners to show their faces.

For Cavan, that usually means a Reilly, but actually it was Finbar O'Reilly who took the call. His role throughout the game was as close to starring as it got. He shot over a free and a point in the space of a minute and that gave Cavan the narrow margin of comfort that would see them through to the end.

Monaghan substitute Thomas Freeman also looked like a winner ever since appearing late in the first half, but his final point on 69 minutes, closing the gap to the minimum once again, came a little too late to save the day.

Cavan refused to lose their grip and, with the last word coming from McCabe's spot kick, the victory finally found its resting place. It brings Cavan back to the Ulster final for the first time since they won the title in 1997, and it renews their rivalry with Tyrone which was last seen in 1995 final.

Cavan's total of 16 wides fell heavily in the second half, and a goal from Monaghan would have put them in serious danger. And Monaghan did have their goal chances.

As early as the ninth minute, Raymond Ronaghan had a run on goal that left everyone wondering how he missed. But when they needed it most, midway through the second half, Aaron Donoghue made his one big block of the day from the bursting combination of Declan Smyth and Thomas Freeman.

Cavan were also denied two major goal chances by two major pieces of goal stopping. Soon after the turnaround, O'Reilly laid on the ball for Jason Reilly but Glen Murphy chose wisely to get his boot in front. Ten minutes later, Peter Reilly looked to have done enough to crack the net, but after another sharp block by Murphy, full back Dermot McDermott was in the right spot to clear the rebound off the line.

So the afternoon would be strictly a points contest. Cavan did get themselves furthest in front as the first half ran out, pulling four points clear as Monaghan struggled to settle into any sort of constructive pattern.

McCabe was soon on top at midfield, and his own point and another delightful one from Paul Gilligan helped put them 0-6 to 0-2 in front.

Yet as the half closed out, Monaghan closed the gap. Jason Hughes began a greater contest with McCabe and James McElroy rose more proficiently. Frees from Smyth and Ciaran Tavey started the chase, and then Thomas Freeman made an immediate effect after being sprung from the bench to close the gap to two, 0-7 to 0-5.

Not long into the second half, Monaghan would be the ones to enjoy the freedom of a two-point lead. Freeman was running wild and clearly not bothered by the heat. In the space of two minutes he had levelled the sides, and within moments his fellow substitute Peter Duffy had given them the lead.

Another run of points may well have killed off the opposition, but the form would swing back once again.

Cavan's half-backs were tighter than ever, especially Anthony Forde and Edward Jackson, and the appearance of Mickey Graham helped ensure a more steadied performance until the end. Although the road was still narrow, Cavan had O'Reilly finishing with yet further sparks and that allowed them to sneak through.