Monaghan test a bite of ‘reality’ for Déise

The Waterford footballers’ joy at outlasting their hurling counterparts in the Championship has been tempered somewhat by an unkind Round 2 qualifier draw.

The Déise, fresh off their first qualifier win since beating London in 2011, and just their second ever, have been paired off with Monaghan in what amounted to the toughest possible test.

The Ulster outfit were suckered by a late Fermanagh goal in the Ulster semi-finals having previously beaten Tyrone and finished third in Division 1 of the Allianz League.