For 45 minutes this was anyone’s game.
Then Monaghan’s class showed through as they eased away from their neighbours in this Ulster SFC preliminary round encounter in Clones.
While many expected a Monaghan cakewalk here, it did not immediately shape up like that – the Ernemen seemingly emboldened by Kieran Hughes’ black card, they trailed by just two points at the break – 1-8 to 1-6.
Conor McManus’s first half goal was the highlight of a first half that was far closer than anyone expected, until Monaghan kicked four of the final five points.
Monaghan nearly opened up a far greater gap on the resumption, with a McManus shot followed up by a Vinny Corey backheel both repelled by Fermanagh defence. However Malachy O’Rourke’s men reeled off 10 unanswered points to end the match as a contest and run out 1-20 to 1-11 winners.
As part of a new digital rights agreement, the GAA are making their match highlights available sooner so, rather than wait to see the highlights on tomorrow’s Sunday Game, you can watch them below.
Missed today's Championship action? Catch all the best highlights on GAANOW! pic.twitter.com/NLqH5VdJer
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 20, 2017
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