Monaghan manager Malachy O'Rourke admits his side have a big challenge on their hands in their efforts to get close to Dublin in next Sunday's Allianz Football League Division 1 semi-final at Croke Park.
O'Rourke's comments came in the aftermath of the 1-22 to 1-11 defeat against the Dubs in the final regulation match in the top tier.
The Farney County's status in the top flight was guaranteed ahead of the game in Clones and it would have taken an unusual set of results to deny them a semi-final spot.
"Maybe those factors took the edge off our game," was O'Rourke's reaction, speaking to RTÉ Sport about why his side failed to fire against the reigning Division 1 champions.
"They exploited any weakness we showed. If you're any way off against the top teams you'll be exploited" - Malachy O'Rourke
He was aware that Monaghan must up their work rate if they are to avoid another heavy defeat at the hands of Jim Gavin's troops - a sequence that started with last August's loss in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
"That's twice they've beaten us and beaten us fairly comfortably," he said.
"Dublin were a lot hungrier today and brought much more pace and intensity to the game.
"They exploited any weakness we showed. If you're any way off against the top teams you'll be exploited and that's what happened to us.
"Dublin are on the go a long time and they've a very experienced, physically strong team. It's tough trying to match them. We thought we would have got closer to them.
"That the challenge for us now over the next week to try and see if we can perform a lot better and get our intensity levels and work-rate a lot better."
