A bit of a lull takes us into the second half water break.

Only five points since the break, three for Cavan and two for Monaghan. Monaghan will be absolutely fine with that.

Brilliant strike from Luke Fortune to send the ball over the black spot. Clear instructions to shoot from distance and it's paying off so far, although they are still five behind.

Make that six, Dessie Ward scores a carbon copy of his fellow corner-back Kieran Duffy's point. Late run, fists it over.

Too easy from a Cavan perspective.

Thomas Galligan chips over another point as Cavan just work away at narrowing that gap.

10 minutes into the second half now and Monaghan are yet to venture forward until Ryan Wylie takes the initiative, bursts forward drawing three defenders before passing to Kieran Duffy who can fist over in acres of space.

Cavan goalscorer Oisin Pierson makes way for Niall Murray. Pierson didn't have much impact after clearly hurting while scoring the goal.

Cavan putting plenty off balls in around the edge of the square but so far they've all carried all the way out, which suits Monaghan right down to the ground.

Back underway at Clones where the wind shows no signs of letting up, let's see what Cavan can do.

It takes Oisin Kiernan 90 seconds to test the breeze, comes off the shoulder of Gerard Smith to bang one over from beyond 45.

Two Cavan players collide allowing Fintan Kelly to pick up the pieces and swing over another point for the final score of a very enjoyable first half.

Monaghan seven points to the good and on balance deservedly so, but with the wind a major factor they are by no means home and hosed in this one.

Championship football has not disappointed on its return. Lovely stuff.

Conor McManus effortlessly strokes one over from beyond the 45 as Monaghan stretch their lead with half-time approaching.

Up by four with the wind in their favour is probably around par score. Cavan have been working away and Stephen Smith is having a great game, he steps off his left foot again and reduces the arrears to three.

But then... a hammer blow to Cavan, that man McManus is found inside and he dribbles a low shot beyond Raymond Galligan and into the net. Monaghan have daylight.

Kieran Duffy ghosts into space and pops over the bar as Monaghan start to purr.

A minute later they surge into Cavan territory and Conor McCarthy sends an absolutely beauty towards goal but sees his effort cannon off the underside of the bar.

Having been switched in the starting line-up, Dermot Malone comes on for Drew Wylie (who had been yellow carded) after 27 minutes.

Monaghan still with their noses in front having fought back from Oisin Pierson's early goal.

Image source, Inpho

Cormac O'Reilly and Martin Reilly decide to test Rory Beggan's steel in the wind as a high ball is launched towards the Monaghan goal, Beggan deals with it well though as he punches clear.

Karl O'Connell gets forward for the first time again and goes for goal, but it's a nice height for Raymond Galligan who beats it away. Cavan give away a free though a few seconds later allowing Conor McManus to extend Monaghan's lead.

Stephen Smith ends Monaghan's point scoring spree by stepping inside Karl O'Connell to nail Cavan's first point in 10 minutes.

But Monaghan have the taste for points now and Stephen O'Hanlon is causing all sorts of bother down the left, racing down the pitch to tee up Micheal Bannigan to pop over.

And just like that Monaghan lead.

It's been all them since Cavan's goal as Conor McManus first over a free to edge the Farneymen in front, which takes us to the first water break of the afternoon.

Stephen O'Hanlon pops one over in style after collecting Kieran Hughes' ball in.

Now they're committing more men forward as the runners allow Conor McManus a bit of space in the half forward line before he hammers one over from the 45 metre line.

And again, Ryan McAnespie this time, on his right foot manages to squeeze one over.

My goodness, this game is going along at some pace.

Monaghan nearly strike back instantly with a goal of their own, Ryan McAnespie absolutely smashes a shot towards goal from an acute angle but Raymond Galligan is equal to it with a smart save.

Conor McCarthy fires one over a minute later. Monaghan know they can't afford to fall further behind while they've got the wing at their backs.

Cat... meet pigeons. What a goal that is.

Cormac O'Reilly backs himself to get down the right touchline and finds Oisin Pierson who is making a late run forward, he takes the ball in his stride and drills a wonderful low shot into the corner.

Pierson has hurt himself in the process of scoring, but it remains a terrific start for Cavan who are up against the breeze in the first half.

Five minutes in and we have our first score, Cavan nudge ahead through Gearoid McKiernan.

But straight up the other end go Monaghan, who look like they're banking on the counter-attack in the early stages. Stephen O'Hanlon glides past a challenge and all of a sudden he's in on goal, but loses control allowing Raymond Galligan to smother.

Now, all of a sudden we're cooking. Stephen Smith and Micheal Bannigan trade lovely scores.

Cormac O'Reilly has the first attempt of the Championship but his effort drifts left of the posts.

Cavan with the early possession.

The wind is swirling round Clones (bets on how far Rory Beggan will knock over a free over from with a tailwind?)

The ball is thrown in and the 2020 Championship has lift off.

One late change to each starting line-up with Monaghan making what looks like a defensive change, bringing Drew Wylie in to replace Dermot Malone.

Stephen Smith gets the nod for Cavan with Chris Conroy dropping to the bench.

Image source, Inpho

Many Cavan fans will be looking to the talented and versatile Gearoid McKiernan as a possible matchwinner.

The 30-year-old midfielder thrives on getting forward to land scores and his free-taking prowess is equally crucial.

Last year's Ulster finalists might be underdogs, but they can pack a punch as Monaghan found out in last year's quarter-final.

And so to today's game. Where the victors will go on to face Antrim in the quarter-final next Saturday.

On the face of it Monaghan should be considered hot favourites. After all, last Sunday they made sure of retaining their place in Division One - 24 hours after Cavan's relegation to Division Three.

However, meetings between these two counties are often close encounters. The teams met in last year's Championship at the quarter-final stage with Cavan achieving a four-point victory Kingspan Breffni.

Key man Darren Hughes was missing that day, but he is in the Monaghan side today.

So too, forward Conor McManus, fresh from scoring 1-08 against last Sunday.

Many see forward McManus as the star turn on show this afternoon - and former Monaghan ace Paul Finlay certainly feels the 33-year-old Clontibret man could prove the difference here. You can check out Finlay's views here.

Image source, Inpho