Last 10 Championship meetings
May 20, 2017: Fermanagh 1-11 Monaghan 1-20
June 21, 2015: Fermanagh 0-13 Monaghan 1-20
June 27, 2010: Fermanagh 2-8 Monaghan 0-21
May 25, 2008: Fermanagh 2-8 Monaghan 0-10
May 12, 2002: Fermanagh 4-13 Monaghan 2-11
June 10, 2001: Fermanagh 0-14 Monaghan 2-10
May 14, 2000: Fermanagh 3-12 Monaghan 1-10
May 30, 1999: Fermanagh 2-12 Monaghan 1-10
June 30, 1968: Fermanagh2-5 Monaghan 2-12
June 23, 1968: Fermanagh 1-9 Monaghan 0-12
Man of the Moment
Conor McManus (Monaghan)
THE Clontibret maestro was at his unmarkable best in the latter stages of Monaghan’s quarter-final win over Tyrone.
He scored some breathtaking points, including one from the right wing that some observers rated as the best they’d ever seen. He kept his head down early on, dropping into the middle third battle and helping to keep the Farneymen in the game as Tyrone came flying out of the traps.
A genuine team player, he showed his unselfish side by playing his part in Vinny Corey’s goal and came into his own late on with that point-scoring exhibition. If Fermanagh keep him quiet they have a chance, but it’s a 70-minute job.
Key Battles
Conor McManus (Monaghan) v Michael Jones (Fermanagh)
PUSH him out to the sideline and he’ll still land points. Force him into midfield and he’ll set up his team-mates for scores. Keep him quiet for an hour and he can still win Monaghan the match with an inspired salvo in the closing stages.
Conor McManus is a puzzle that Fermanagh will need to solve tomorrow and Derrygonnelly defender Michael Jones is the man who will get the job on the Clontibret ace.
He’ll need plenty of help of course, and McManus will be surrounded whenever he gets the ball inside the Fermanagh 45-yard line. Jones is experienced and determined and will stick to his task.
Tactical Take
Fermanagh
THE Ernemen have out-and-out forwards in the Quigley brothers, Sean and Seamus, a very capable midfield pair in Eoin Donnelly and Ryan Jones and attacking ball-carrying threats with the pace of Declan McCusker and Barry Mulrone.
With James McMahon and Che Cullen organising their rearguard, they’ll get men behind the ball, but they need to get the balance right between attack and defence to win. They won’t sit back against this Monaghan side and hope to counterpunch their way to victory, but they can’t go gung-ho either.
At some point they need to take the game to the Farneymen and their best chance is to test their defence early on by kicking the ball long into the corners Quigley and giving them the chance to test their markers.
If it’s their day they can give themselves an early lead to defend and set up a defensive screen on their own 45-yard line to frustrate Monaghan and look to hit them hard on the break.
Monaghan
MONAGHAN were caught off guard by Down at this stage last year and they face another motivated and confident pack of underdogs tomorrow.
As favourites, the Farneymen need to make the running tomorrow and they’ll go on the attack from the start.
With the ball, Monaghan build attacks patiently, but steadily, using the width of the field and utilising angled runs from the flanks to pull defenders out of position and create space for runners through the middle who will include Darren Hughes, Karl O’Connell and Ryan McAnespie.
Conor McManus, Jack McCarron and Dessie Ward can all play inside, but the line-up is fluid and the players change positions constantly, taking turns to attack or defend.
Without the ball, Monaghan are hard to break down although Tyrone had early success against them with they used the ball quickly and forced them into making tackles.
Midfield was a problem area, but Monaghan came out on top against the Red Hands by swarming around Niall Morgan’s kick-outs and hoovering up breaks.
Team Talk
Fermanagh: P Cadden; K Connor, C Cullen, M Jones; B Mulrone, J McMahon, L Cullen; E Donnelly, R Jones; P McCusker, D McCusker, A Breen; Sean Quigley, C Jones, Seamus Quigley
Monaghan: TBC
Last Championship meeting
May 20, 2017, Ulster Senior Football Championship preliminary round: Monaghan 1-20 Fermanagh 1-11
CONOR McManus pounced on a poorly-directed kick-out from Thomas Treacy to send Monaghan into an early lead but Ryan Lyons popped up at the Farneymen’s back post minutes later to shoot past Rory Beggan and level the game after 22 minutes.
The sides continued to trade blows and, 10 minutes into the second half, Monaghan led by a single point. But fresh legs allowed them to pull away and, with substitute Owen Duffy to the fore, they had extended their lead to four points by the 50th minute. Ten minutes later, the gap was at 10 points – 1-18 to 1-8 - and Monaghan went on to beat Cavan before unexpectedly losing to Down at the semi-final stage.
Weather watch
A muggy 20C is forecast but there could be a shower or two before the final whistle. Bring a coat.
Who’s the ref?
Conor Lane (Cork)
BANTEER/Lyre clubman Lane officiated in the 2016 All-Ireland final between Dublin and Mayo.
He is experienced but not popular in parts of Derry.
Back in 2015, he attracted the ire of then Derry manager Brian McIver who resigned after the Oak Leafers’ Qualifier loss to Galway, citing his anger at Lane’s performance in as one of the main reasons.
Lane did not award a penalty after Cailean O’Boyle, who had looked certain to palm Eoin Bradley’s pass into the Galway net to put a point between the sides, was fouled by Finian Hanley. Galway broke away and scored the winning goal.
“Players should be deciding matches not referees,” said McIver.
Betting box
Monaghan 1/5
Draw 12/1
Fermanagh 4/1
