Louth manager Ger Brennan lamented a "4 out of 10" performance as the Leinster champions fell down to earth with a six-point loss against Monaghan in Newbridge.
Brennan side's remained as goal-happy as ever, hitting four in a rainy St Conleth's Park but even with that they struggled to keep pace with an uber-efficient Monaghan, who tagged on points at will throughout the afternoon.
Gabriel Bannigan's team, playing their first game in five weeks since their narrow Ulster semi-final loss to Donegal, won by six points in the end, putting themselves in a strong position in Group 3, with a home game against Clare to come.
"I have to give a lot of credit to Monaghan," Brennan told RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport. "They were extremely efficient in front of goals. They are certainly a team that Louth would aspire to (reach) given Monaghan's population and their ability to compete at the top table and even more.
"They're always the bar Louth are trying to get to and surpass.
"We were 4 out of 10 today. We had a good gameplan but unfortunately we just didn't have the energy, with what happened over the last couple of weeks, to execute it.
"It's not going to win any matches unfortunately. Our efficiency was poor today. Monaghan's efficiency was incredible. Our efficiency was poor in terms of some of the shots we took but additionally, the pressure that Monaghan defenders put on us was very impressive."
Brennan had appealed for a degree of calm among the delirious Louth supporters, asking them to give the players space ahead of the All-Ireland series.
"You'd probably have to ask some of the players if it did happen," Brennan said. "I'm living in Dublin so it's easier for me to get out of dodge and get out of trouble. The Louth supporters are wonderful supporters and they've been travelling in huge numbers since we took over in the last two seasons."
His opposite number Bannigan was slightly concerned with the concession of four goals but overall stressed he was very happy with the performance, Monaghan showing no signs of rustiness following their lay-off.
"Very satisfied," said Bannigan. "The most important thing coming here today was the boys got to the pitch of championship.
"Because it's five weeks since we played Donegal. Louth were battle hardened coming into this. So, I was delighted with the start.
"One thing I wouldn't be happy with obviously was conceding four goals. But Louth are getting goals, they got three in the Leinster final.
"But I thought our performance throughout the game was very, very good and we fully deserved to win the game."
The two managers had a brief disagreement on the sideline in the closing stages, though the two friends masterfully played down the incident.
"Ah, there was nothing in it at all," Bannigan insisted. "Myself and Ger had a good chat before the game. We'd a good chat after the game. Absolutely nothing in it. I was annoyed with something that happened on the pitch, he was annoyed with something that happened on the pitch.
"Lookit, I'll say I was right, he'll say he was right. It doesn't matter. White heat of championship. Myself and Ger, good friends off the pitch. Nothing in it whatsoever."
Asked about the same incident, Brennan replied: "We were just organising where we might go for pints after the game. He wanted to go to one place, I wanted to go to the other. But we sorted it out at the end and we shook hands."
And where did they settle on for pints?
"I think we'll go to the Keadeen."
