GAA Football: Monaghan demolish Fermanagh

Fermanagh 0-14 Monaghan 2-10

Mighty Monaghan set the Ulster Football Championship alight with a powerful

and passionate performance at Enniskillen's Brewster Park, their demolition

of Fermanagh's challenge as impressive as it was ruthless and meticulously

planned.

It was a tactical triumph for manager Jack McCarville, whose side succeeded

in neutralising Fermanagh's big threats, midfielder Paul Brester and full

forward Stephen Maguire.

Instead it was the unrated Farney men who announced the arrival of some star

names, the previously unknown Gary McQuaid and Dermot McDermott in defence, midfielder James McElroy and attackers Raymond Ronaghan and Ciaran Tavey.

Monaghan employed a two-man full forward line with devastating effect in the

first half.

Ronaghan and Tavey tormented the Fermanagh defence, and it was the twin

strike force who combined for two stunning goals.

First Ronaghan laid on the precision pass for Tavey to rocket to the net in

six minutes.

And 10 minutes later it was Tavey who turned provider, sending his partner

clear for a superb finish.

By that stage, underdogs Monaghan led their shell-shocked opponents by 2-2 to

0-1, Tavey and McElroy having steered over points, with Rory Gallagher's

opening point the only real contribution Fermanagh had to offer.

Quick and accurate ball into the Monaghan frontmen continued to pose huge

problems for a hard-pressed Erne full back line, and to make matters worse,

the home side failed miserably to embroider their game with any shape or pace.

Declan Smyth, Gary Meehan and Tavey added to the woes with superb points, and although Fermanagh did respond with a Gallagher free and a wonderful point from skipper Tom Brewster, they were in deep trouble at the break, trailing

by 2-6 to 0-4.

A volley of scores from Tom Brewster and Gallagher sparked a Fermanagh

revival, but their policy of persisting with the long, searching ball to full

forward Maguire was to fail miserably.

The excellent McDermott played a captain's role by eclipsing the big target

man, and corner back McQuaid made countless vital interceptions.

They soaked up the Fermanagh pressure and scored on the break through

McElroy, Darren Farmer and Thomas Freeman to frustrate a now desperate home side.

As the game entered its final ten minutes, Fermanagh's desperation for a goal

saw them become ragged and disorientated, and they could only manage points from Gallagher and Mark O'Donnell, as Monaghan breezed through to a

semi-final meeting with neighbours Cavan.

Fermanagh's defeat means they now must meet Donegal for a third time.

Having won a preliminary round replay, Fermanagh's opponents in the Qualifying Group are Mickey Moran's side.