Jason Hughes is outnumbered by the opposition

Fermanagh started off in a rush and were four points to the good before Monaghan got a sweat up.

A great move in the fifth minute by the Ernsiders saw Tom Brewster crack home the opening goal.

A minute later it was Gallagher who knocked over a point to put Fermanagh on their way.

Monaghan, playing with an increasingly-strengthening wind, finally got in on the act.

Once John Paul Mone knocked over their opening point in the 10th minute they proceeded to completely dominate.

Damien Freeman bagged two points while Mone picked off his second to level things up.

But it was a cracking goal by Thomas Freeman that livened up the home crowd in the 21st minute.

Damien Freeman kept up Monaghan's dominance at this stage with a 43-metre free.

But back game Fermanagh led by the ever-present Gallagher.

Raymond Johnstone gets by Gary McQuaid

He stroked over three points in quick succession while Shane McDermott levelled things up again in the 32nd minute.

But in the final minutes of an exciting first period, it was Monaghan who went in for their tea the happier.

Although Gallagher again was on target with a point, two from the brothers Freeman put Monaghan ahead in the 21st minute.

But then on the whistle came a glorious Monaghan effort when workaholic Raymond Ronaghan made space before setting up Rory Woods for a great goal.

It was that man Gallagher that set up Fermanagh immediately on the restart.

Upended in the square by Dermot McDermott, Gallagher dusted himself down to slot home the penalty.

Confidence

A point from the same player and another by Raymond Johnston gave the Ernesiders the lead again for the first time since the 18th minute.

There was just no stopping Rory Gallagher who after his cousin Raymond was flattened, stuck away his second penalty this sheer aplomb in the 48th minute.

Fermanagh just kept Monaghan at a distance although James McElroy, Thomas Freeman and Mone did manage to pick up points.

But a minute from time, Gallagher, who had drifted into space to score a couple of points from open play, picked up his third goal when he punched in a cross.

That finally buried Monaghan who, however, can look forward with some confidence in the All-Ireland qaulifiers.

They will not have Gallagher to face for a start!

Monaghan: S Duffy; Paraic McKenna, D McDermott, C Flanagan; G McQuaid, A Rooney, D Clerkin; J Hughes, E Lennon, JP Mone (0-3), R Woods (1-0), James McElroy (0-1); Damien Freeman (0-3); Raymond Ronaghan, Tom Freeman (1-4).

Fermanagh: D Feeley, B Owen, P McGuinness, M Lilley, S McDermott (0-1), J Gilheaney, N Cox, M Greene, P Brewster, R Johnston (0-1), S Maguire, T Brewster (1-0), Raymond Gallagher (0-1), Rory Gallagher (3-9), Colm Bradley. Substitute: M McGrath (0-1)

Referee: M Monaghan (Kildare).

Sunday's Championship fixtures:
Ulster SFC:
Cavan 0-15 1-17 Donegal
Monaghan 2-11 4-13 Fermanagh
Ulster MFC
Cavan 0-12 0-8 Donegal
Monaghan 0-11 0-10 Fermanagh
Leinster SFC:
Louth 3-17 1-12 Longford
Carlow 0-10 1-14 Westmeath
Munster SFC
Limerick 1-7 0-14 Kerry
Waterford 2-9 3-10 Clare
Ulster SHC
Down 3-22 1-9 London
Leinster SHC
Meath 2-16 1-18 Laois
Westmeath 1-12 2-12 Dublin