McEnaney can look forward to the qualifiers with confidence

Despite falling eights points behind at one stage, the Farney boys fought back to scare Tyrone in the final minutes.

"Very disappointed we lost the game. We came to Clones fully expecting to win," said McEnaney.

"We were well prepared and mentally strong. In the end I'm disappointed but very, very proud of these players."

McEnaney, however, is moving on already to his next challenge.

"For Monaghan, the Championship begins now as we enter the qualifying draw.

"Now if you lose you're out. That's Championship football.

"But these players will learn from the game in Clones. Maybe you have to lose a game to win one. They emptied the tank for Monaghan.

"But we didn't fear Tyrone, we were here to win the game. We knew the players they had and their record," said McEnaney, who watched in frustration as Vincent Corey's late efforts saw goal chances missed.

"That's football. We took the risk in taking out Vincent from full-back and putting him at full-forward. It worked very well for us to half-time and won a lot of important first-time ball in there.

"Yes, maybe Vincent's shot at the end could have gone under the bar instead of over. But overall I thought Vincent had a great game."