The gulf in class between Fermanagh and Armagh was in plain sight during their Ulster SFC quarter-final clash in Brewster Park last Sunday.

Armagh went into the game heavy favourites and three first-half goals put the game to bed.

These goals all came from Fermanagh coughing up possession. 

Coughing up possession also led to Ultan Kelm's black card during which time Armagh found the net twice.

Speaking after the game, Fermanagh manager, Kieran Donnelly, felt Armagh "maximised" their extra man for those 10 minutes, but he also felt the decision to sin bin Kelm was a harsh one.

"I do feel even though there was that gulf as well at times, they got their two goals during the black card. A really harsh black card I felt because he [Andrew Murnin] actually pulled Ultan down to the ground and I thought that was the big factor of the game.

"The fact that they got the goals during the black card look, they maximised the black card.

"It was a six-point turnaround during that period. We need 15 to play against the quality of Armagh to defend that pace and power."

But while there was that difference in the teams, Fermanagh's mistakes helped Armagh.

Donnelly felt his side were defensively sound but when they were trying to get into attacking shape they lost possession which led to the goals. It is something that has haunted Fermanagh in the past this season and something they will have to look at going forward.

It was a disappointing defeat for Fermanagh. And it is one that they will have to learn from if they have any aspirations for winning the Tailteann Cup.

Donnelly also looked at the journey both teams are on and the different stages they are at.

"To lose any championship match is disappointing.

"Armagh is a physically, very imposing team and I think that was very evident today. Their down the line in terms of their squad as well," Donnelly added and pointed out Armagh had 11 players from the team Fermanagh beat in Ulster in 2018 compared to five on the Fermanagh team.

"It shows the big turnaround - and we are a small county - that we have had over the past number of years.

"We are a young squad and we are trying to evolve and bring those positives into the Tailteann Cup."

Those positives Donnelly will take from the game is how his side kept on competing in the second half despite the game being over as a contest.

"That’s experience for our players.

"Mental resilience at county level is a massive thing. When Armagh were so far ahead at halftime time you have two ways of going; you start playing, forcing shots or you keep playing to a system and I felt we kept playing to a system.

"And that’s a tremendous strength from our squad they were able to show that resilience in a championship environment and just to continue to bring that energy to the game and I felt we did that."

Another positive for Donnelly was the return to the pitch of Johnny Cassidy and Darragh McGurn after lengthy injuries.

They will strengthen the Fermanagh team for the Tailteann.

Another substitute who impressed when introduced was Conor Love, and Donnelly was delighted to see the Enniskillen Gaels forward get his chance: "I thought Curly was excellent and he brought energy.

"Conor has been showing that at training this past few weeks.

"I was delighted he was able to transfer that onto the pitch. He's had a really unfortunate run with injuries and that is why probably we haven't seen him until now.

"We have a lot of quality players to come back and push on and Conor is definitely one of them," concluded Donnelly.