McEnaney: We didn't flinch an inch

Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney has paid tribute to his players after the Farney County's 12-point Ulster SFC quarter-final win at Casement Park yesterday.

"This is a great group of players, and a very dedicated group of players and there is great resolve among them," McEnaney said.

"We didn't flinch an inch after 20 minutes. We had some hard decisions to make during the week, we had some hard decisions to make today during the game, but that's what we are in the job to do.

"It's the semi-final of the Ulster Championship - that's as far as it is. We are delighted to get over Armagh."

And McEnaney revealed his relief at winning a first Championship game in Ulster, since his sides successful run to a provincial final, back in 2007

"It's our first time to get over the first Round of the Ulster Championship in three years, and that's painful…It's painful for this group of players because we have a lot of experience there.

"Armagh has been the team of the decade in Ulster football. They have won seven of the last ten Ulster titles, and we respected them a lot coming into this game.

Regular full-back Darren Hughes only took up the goalkeeper's role after a late injury to Shane Duffy.

Substitute keeper Shane Gorman reportedly walked off the panel as a result of Hughes' selection.

McEnaney says it was a tough decision to start Hughes between the posts.

"We had to make a tough decision as Shane Duffy was unavailable to us through injury. Darren Hughes came into the goals today, and I think in fairness to Darren he did quite well.

"The only thing I have to say is that any management team, no matter where they may be or what they are doing, it will always be in the good of Monaghan football."

Hughes was delighted with his sides win over pre-match favourites Armagh.

"It was just great to get over today. We knew it wasn't going to be a tough battle. It wasn't over until the last five or 10 minutes, when we closed it out.

"We are just happy to get over that hurdle, and to have an Ulster semi-final against either Cavan or Fermanagh to look forward to."

Hughes said he was delighted to be asked to man the goals for Monaghan.

"It was a bit of a surprise being stuck in here, but I was comfortable enough and happy to just get a jersey.

"I would enjoy it now, but I don't know what the story is and I'll not say anything yet. I'm comfortable enough in it, but I'd rather be out the field. We'll see what happens."

The Scotstown clubman felt that his side started sluggishly, but subsequently improved in the midfield sector.

"We started off shaky in the first 10 to 15 minutes, and we got to grips around the middle which stopped the ball into Stevie (McDonnell).

"Stevie was getting easy ball in there, and it wasn't necessarily our full back line. We got to grips after 10 to 15 minutes, so I'm happy enough with that and to get a result.

"We knew it was going to tough with Armagh having a game behind them. We were going to be up against it. We were slow to start, we knew that they had the Championship game behind them.

"Thankfully we pulled through in the end, it was superb play upfront by the forwards and in the middle third of the field."