"With local derbies, previous form goes out the window and it's all on the day; who reacts best to the crowd and things that happen on the pitch."

Monaghan manager Malachy O'Rourke is well aware of what to expect when he sends his players out on the Kingspan Breffni Park field for tomorrow's Ulster SFC local derby against Cavan.

"These games take on a life of their own and we have to be prepared for a battle. I have no doubt that Cavan are confident, but we are looking forward to the challenge."

The Farney County's chances of success have been boosted by the availability of experienced duo Drew Wylie and Darren Hughes who have overcome thigh and foot injuries to be named at full-back and left half-forward respectively.

Owen Lennon and former All-Star Colin Walshe, who sustained a cruciate ligament injury last year, are both named on the bench and Monaghan will be looking to build on their fine showing against Dublin in the recent Division 1 semi-final.

From the outside looking in, it would be fair to say that the pieces of the jigsaw appear to be falling nicely into place for O'Rourke and his backroom team.

Cavan, on the other hand, have been dealt a blow in advance with a hamstring injury ruling Killian Clarke out of the match.

The Breffni County's defensive game-plan helped them comfortably consolidate their place in Division 2 in the league but a lack of firepower up front is a cause for concern as they enter the championship.

Gearoid McKiernan is their go-to-man and the home supporters will be looking to him to secure a foothold around the middle third of the field.

The two counties met at the semi-final stage back in 2013 with Monaghan scoring a narrow 1-10 to 0-12 victory. Monaghan's scorer-in-chief Conor McManus hit six points for the winners that day.

Champions two years ago and runners-up in 2014, O'Rourke's charges look the better bet and get the vote to advance to a last four clash against the winners of Fermanagh and Antrim.

Verdict - Monaghan.

Cavan team: Conor Gilsenan; Jason McLoughlin, Rory Dunne, Ronan Flanagan; James McEnroe, Feargal Flanagan, Damien O'Reilly; Tomas Corr, Gearoid McKiernan; Dara McVeety, Michael Argue, Martin Reilly; Cian Mackey, Martin Dunne, Niall McDermott.

Monaghan team: Rory Beggan; Dessie Mone, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Fintan Kelly, Vinny Corey, Karl O'Connell; Neil McAdam, Dick Clerkin; Owen Duffy, Paul Finlay, Darren Hughes; Dermot Malone, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus.

Match details: Sunday, Kingspan Breffni Park, 2pm.

Referee: Padraig Hughes.

Odds: Cavan 2/1, Draw 7/1, Monaghan 4/7.

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