By Rory Houston
Watch the Fermanagh v Monaghan Ulster Football Championship semi-final on Sunday live on RTÉ.ie, throw-in 3.30pm.
Going into Sunday's clash with Fermanagh, Monaghan have already showed that they could be the team to beat in Ulster this year after crushing Armagh in Casement Park.
Fermanagh endured a difficult league campaign but the end of a 96-year stint of not beating Cavan in the Championship has ignited hopes of a first-ever Ulster title.
It promises to be a very difficult task. Monaghan, regardless of the fact that Armagh had to play with 14-men for much of the encounter, looked a well-balanced team that combined all the flair and experience it takes to win an Ulster title.
The margin of victory, 12 points, was eye-catching to say the least.
It was the way they put Armagh to the sword that really made counties across the country take notice.
They’ll be very confident of seeing off Fermanagh but nothing is ever as straight forward as it seems in Ulster.
This game could potentially provide an upset, a lot is expected of Monaghan while for Fermanagh the pressure is a lot less.
Monaghan’s experienced managerial team of Seamus McEnaney and Paul Grimley could prove vital if the Farney County have not put the game to bed as it enters the final quarter.
The Ernemen have won four of the last five meetings between the sides in the Championship and getting to this stage is already seen as progress.
They will have the same exuberance as Monaghan and maybe the lack of experience, particulary in attack, could suit them.
It certainly didn’t affect their forward line in the Cavan match, we’ll know early on in the match in Kingspan Breffni Park how they are approaching the game.
Both teams will be craving a good start, this could well require more than the 70 minutes.
Verdict: Draw
