Very few are giving Fermanagh a chance on Sunday, instead the talk has long been about a Monaghan and Donegal Ulster final. However, Monaghan selector, Finbarr Fitzpatrick feels that if the Farneymen are to progress to the final then they will have to improve on their last outing.

“The package Fermanagh presents is formidable and if we don’t show a much improved performance to what we showed against Cavan, it won’t be good enough. The team who applies themselves best on the day will be the team that will book their place in the Ulster final.” Monaghan scraped past Cavan with a one point win in Breffni Park but it was far from convincing, admits Fitzpatrick; “For the first 45 or 50 minutes we weren’t good enough in all areas of the pitch. We only got one point from play in the first half and it was only in the last 20 minutes that we upped our performance. We were fortunate to come out on the right side of it. Our performance levels across the whole team needs to be improved. They need to be performing for as close to 70 minutes as possible and that’s what it will take to overcome Fermanagh.” Conor McManus was the star of the show the last day out for Monaghan. He dragged them across the line with seven points in total, five from frees. Fermanagh will undoubtedly single out the Clontibret man for special attention but that’s not something Monaghan are concerned about.

“Obviously, it forms a significant part of every oppositions game plan and that’s testament to Conor and the great player he is but it’s not something we focus on. We look at our forwards as a unit and Conor is for Fermanagh to worry about. We’ll be concentrating on getting more scores from play, a higher conversion rate and a better spread of scorers, just like every team do.” There’s a lot at stake this Sunday. A chance for Fermanagh to get back to their first final since 2008, when current Monaghan manager Malachy O’Rourke led them there.

For Monaghan it’s a chance to reach their third final in a row.

“It’s a big game for us and a huge opportunity to progress to an Ulster final. Fermanagh will be highly motivated too and with Pete McGrath there and his track record, he’ll have them prepared to the highest level.” Fitzpatrick watched Fermanagh in their quarter-final against Antrim in Brewster Park. Anyone who was there knows it wasn’t pretty but the Latton O’Rahilly’s man says; “They got the job done. By their own admission after the game, they didn’t relish the favourites tag but they were comprehensive winners in the end. They did all they were asked to do and I’m sure they have been looking ahead to the next challenge.” On Sunday, there’s no denying the favourites tag rests firmly on Monaghan’s shoulders. They have been one of the top two or three teams in Ulster over the past few years and they contested the Division One semi-finals this year. Fitzpatrick says being favourites will be off little consequence to his team; “We wouldn’t even think about it. For both teams the prize is massive and it’s about whoever wins the battle on the field. There’s as much pressure on Fermanagh to win this game as there is on Monaghan. Favouritism or pressure is not our concern; our focus is on having the team as ready as we can.” Monaghan have had a four week recuperation period since their championship opener whereas Fermanagh have had a week less.

The Farney men will have welcomed the chance to give men like Colin Walshe and Darren Hughes, both of whom returned from injury the last day, extra time to ready themselves.

It’s a second trip to Breffni Park for the Farney army in as many months but Fitzpatrick says that will hold little sway on the day; “Fermanagh are quite comfortable in Breffni and geographically it suits both teams. I suppose we benefit from having had a game there, familiarity with the ground and pre-match logistics but I don’t think it’s an advantage.” Fitzpatrick is careful not to big up Monaghan in any way - that’s the last thing anyone wants to do in the mouth of a semi-final.

“We’re confident that we’re well prepared and that’s where you get your confidence from - knowing you’re well prepared. Hopefully we’ve learnt our lesson from the Cavan game. We feel we’re in a good place but what happens at 4 o’clock on Sunday, you can’t be confident of that.” “The Ulster championship has been fairly attacking so far. I think it will be a keenly fought game. Fermanagh have shown in their games to date this year that they play football based on good forward play and with lots of imagination. It’s going to be close but as long as we are ahead by a point at the final whistle, that’s all that matters,” concludes Fitzpatrick.