Rory's verdict

By Rory Gallagher BBC sideline analyst

Monaghan deserved to win Saturday's knock-out Championship match against Armagh.

Monaghan boss Seamus McEnaney had his team fired up for their clash with Armagh

With the exception of a 15-minute period coming up to the end of the first half, I felt Monaghan were the much better team all round.

It was a tremendous victory for Seamus McEnaney's side, without star man Tommy Freeman, and it will give them great heart and genuine belief that they can at least get back to Croke Park for the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Even though there were a lot of mistakes and some poor football at times, I thought it was a terrific contest. Both teams emptied the tanks and gave their all.

Monaghan had far more urgency and purpose about them than Armagh.

They were outplayed Armagh around the middle of the field and were far hungrier for broken ball in this crucial sector.

Raymond Ronaghan and Rory Woods gave them an excellent outlet in the full-forward line and won lots of primary possession and used the ball well.

Paul Finlay, while he missing a few chances he normally would get, kicked some crucial scores and was much more involved in open play than he had been against Derry.

The Monaghan defence led, by Vinny Corey and Dessie Mone, did an excellent job in snuffing out the twin threat of Ronan Clarke and Stevie McDonnell.

Monaghan clearly identified that if they could restrict these two dangermen that Armagh lacked other forwards capable of scoring from play and built their foundations for success from here.

I must pay tribute to Seamus McEnaney and this group of Monaghan players for their hunger and desire to win games.

The manager's passion and enthusiasm epitomises everything that is great about GAA. This team has deserved a little more luck over the last few years and have the potential to get to the All Ireland semi-finals.

On the other hand, this is a crushing defeat for Armagh. With the exception of Aaron Kernan and Clarke, they lack scoring options and look like a team that is not capable of beating the top teams.

Despite winning last year's Ulster championship, Armagh have failed to really perform under Peter McDonnell. They have very talented players and should be doing better.

Fermanagh rocked

Turning to the other qualifiers, the big news after Saturday's games was Fermanagh's shock defeat by Division Four side Wicklow.

It is hard to believe that less than a year ago Fermanagh should have won the Ulster Championship.

The team has not been performing all year and has failed to address scoring problems up front.

I thought it was strange that the Fermanagh management played two players - Seamus Quigley and Paul Cosgrove - in Saturday's game as they had not even been in the panel for the Cavan game and did not use forwards who played throughout the league.

While Quigley and Cosgrove are talented young players, neither have any senior inter-county experience.

I also found it odd that Ciaran McElroy was dropped for this must-win game as he had been one of their better players throughout the year.

This was a Wicklow team who could not get promoted from Division Four and who were without three first choice defenders and had a man sent off in the first half. Mick O'Dwyer must have special powers!

606: DEBATE Armagh have failed to really perform under Peter Mc Donnell Rory Gallagher

Donegal and Down will have learned little from their games against Carlow and London as both were expected to win comfortably and did without performing anywhere near to their best.

John Joe Doherty and Ross Carr will have been disappointed with their displays, yet pleased just to get through and will know that next weekend's games should provide much stiffer tests.

I feel Donegal have the best group of players of any of Saturday's teams and could make the last four. There were notable wins for Wexford, Longford and Tipperary.

Of these three, I feel Tipperary have the best chance of making an impact while Longford and Wexford may struggle to go any further.

Meath cantered to an easy win over a poor Waterford side and will be a dangerous opponents for any of the teams in this weekend's draw.

The defeats for Leitrim, Offaly and Louth complete disastrous seasons both in league and provincial championships and the futures of their managers could well be in doubt.