James Sherry contributed a first half point for Fermanagh

Fermanagh 1-12 0-9 Meath

Fermanagh produced a brilliant display to shock Meath in Sunday's All-Ireland Football Qualifier at Clones.

Few pundits gave Dominic Corrigan's side a chance against the Royals before the game but the Ernemen produced arguably the county's greatest ever championship display to claim a comprehensive win.

Captain Raymond Gallagher dominated the scoring honours with 1-5 but the Fermanagh team was laden with heroes.

Barry Owens produced a majestic full-back display while Martin McGrath was the star midfielder on show.

Others to particular shine in an admirable team effort included defenders Michael Lilly, Shane McDermott and Kieran Gallagher plus second half substitute Kieran Donnelly.

Meath made the better start with scores by Hank Traynor, Trevor Giles and Graham Geraghty giving Sean Boylan's side a 0-3 to 0-0 lead by the 11th minute.

At that stage, the match appeared to be adhering to the script but youngster James Sherry notched Fermanagh's opening round two minutes later and Corrigan's side were on terms by the 25th minute.

The football was scrappy for most of the second quarter with Fermanagh looking the better side but failing to take a number of chances.

Ray McGee had replaced the injured Ollie Murphy in the 19th minute and his score nudged Meath ahead again in the 27th minute.

Raymond Gallagher scored 1-5 for Fermanagh at Clones

A Charles Murphy point on the stroke of half-time meant Meath had a flattering two-point advantage at the break, 0-5 to 0-3.

The crucial moment of the match came two minutes after half-time with Raymond Gallagher brilliantly finishing to the net after a long ball had deceived the Meath defence.

Ray McGee levelled for Meath a minute later but the belief was with Fermanagh and when another Gallagher score put the Ernesiders ahead in the 42nd minute, it was a lead they were not to relinquish.

Four unanswered points in six minutes including a Donnelly point left Fermanagh five points clear at 1-8 to 0-6 with 20 minutes remaining.

Given Meath's renowned battling qualities, the excited Fermanagh punters in the Clones crowd must have anticipated a comeback but it never materialised.

Sean Boylan introduced Richie Kealy, Barry Callaghan and Adrian Kenny to the Meath attack but the changes had no effect.

Fermanagh were in control and when Kieran Donnelly pointed to put the Ernesiders six clear with only four minutes of normal time left, the game was up for the Royals.

Meath are one of the best teams in Ireland and we beat them Raymond Gallagher

Winning captain Gallagher paid tribute to the entire Fermanagh side after the game.

"Our pride was badly hurt after the match against Down," said Gallagher.

"Myself and a few of the senior players went missing in that game so we had to redeem ourselves.

"Last week against Cavan we got ourselves back on track and we proved a point against Meath today.

"If doesn't matter who gets the scores on the day and it was a team victory.

"Meath are one of the best teams in Ireland and we beat them," he added.

Manager Dominic Corrigan described his team's display as "Fermanagh's best ever performance".

"This is not the finish. It's just the beginning," said Corrigan.

"We just tore into them in the second half".

Fermanagh: Ronan Gallagher, R McCluskey, B Owens, M Lilly, S McDermott, K Gallagher, N Cox, P Brewster (0-1), M McGrath, T Brewster (0-2), Raymond Gallagher (1-5), R Keenan (0-1), J Sherry (0-1), S Maguire, R McCabe. Subs: K Donnelly (0-2), N Keenan, C Bradley, S Doherty.