FARNEY’S SWEAT ON TWO ACES

INJURIES to Conor Mcmanus and Darren Hughes were the only black clouds on a sunny day for Monaghan at Clones.

Mcmanus’ right thigh (above) was heavily strapped and iced after suffering the injury late in the 10-point win over Fermanagh, while another key man Hughes limped out in the first half.

“We just don’t know at the moment,” admitted Monaghan interim boss David Mccague, “we are concerned about both players.

“Both appear to be impact injuries and both are around the knee area so we will have to see what the medical team says to us in the next 24, 48 hours and see how that affects their ability to train.”

Having left Clones shellshocked last autumn when they let a seven-point lead slip and got caught by eventual fairytale Ulster champions Cavan, Monaghan will take this one gladly and move on.

They led again by seven at the interval, 1-11 to 0-7, with Jack Mccarron bundling the ball into the net on 17 minutes after Fermanagh goalkeeper Sean Mcnally had brilliantly saved from Kieran Duffy.

But this time there was to be no second half meltdown, just the cool efficiency that was needed to keep the scoreboard ticking over and 11 of the starting 15 scored.

Aaron Mulligan and Killian Lavelle made impressive debuts kicking 0-4 from play between them and the strength of talent coming off the bench – Shane Carey, Niall Kearns, Fintan Kelly and Kieran Hughes – should finally put paid to the myth that Monaghan are operating off a small pool of playing resources.

After half an hour Ultan Kelm had an Erne goal chance whisked away by the tracking runner Hughes – a three-pointer then would have brought Fermanagh to within two.

Fermanagh were able to land a few long-range scores from Josh Largo Ellis and Dara Mcgurn, as well as Ciaran Corrigan and Aidan Breen in the second half, but Monaghan dominated.

Monaghan scorers: J Mccarron (1-2, 2f); C Mcmanus (0-4, 3f); A Mulligan (0-3); M Bannigan (0-2); C Walshe (0-2, mark); R Beggan (0-1, 45); C Boyle (0-1); R Wylie (0-1); K O’connell (0-1); D Ward (0-1); K Lavelle (0-1); C Mccarthy (0-1f); N Kearns (0-1).

Fermanagh: S Quigley (0-7, 5f, 45); A Breen (0-2); J Cassidy (0-1); C Corrigan (0-1); J Largo Ellis (0-1); U Kelm (0-1); D Mcgurn (0-1).