'Relief' for Bannigan as Monaghan advance to semi-finals

Bannigan's side will face Derry in the last four after overcoming Cavan on Sunday [Getty Images] Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan admitted there was a sense of "relief" after his side secured a 0-27 to 2-14 victory over Cavan to reach the Ulster Championship semi-finals. The Farney men responded strongly after a difficult National League campaign, which ended in relegation without a win, by producing a composed display in Clones to set up a last-four meeting with Derry. "We've had a very tough league, so there is big relief," Bannigan told BBC Sport NI.

"We've been preparing hard for this since the Galway game and were focused on getting a squad as near to full strength as we could. We weren't quite at full strength, but we were stronger. " Monaghan survive Cavan comeback to set up Derry semi-final 'Derry will be favourites' in last four Monaghan's fast start proved decisive as they dominated kick-outs and turnovers in the opening half, building a seven-point lead by the break.

Bannigan felt that early control reflected the benefit of competing against Division One opposition during the league campaign, despite the disappointing results. "The biggest thing we got out of the league was 16 debuts under our belt and big-game experience against Division One opponents," he added. Bannigan was also glad to have the opportunity to give multiple players their first experiences of the Ulster Championship.

"You saw that today with some of the younger players. Stephen Mooney, Aaron Carey and Louis Kelly all came in and made big contributions. " Mooney, who missed much of the league through injury, was among the standout performers as Monaghan registered a spread of scorers across the team.