Charlie Mulgrew during his final match in charge of Fermanagh

Mulgrew, who led the team to the 2004 All-Ireland semi-finals, said that he had always intended this season to be his final year in the post.

Meath led 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time at Navan and extended that advantage to 0-10 to 0-5 early in the second half.

Fermanagh produced a late rally but were unable to get on terms.

The Erne County's line-up had a late change from the side announced on Thursday with James Sherry starting instead of Tom Brewster.

However, Brewster was introduced for Ciaran McElroy midway through the first half when Meath were leading by 0-4 to 0-2.

Ciaran O'Reilly's second free of the first half reduced Meath's lead to the minimum but the Royals fought back to lead 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval.

The crucial period of the match came after half-time as Meath outscored Fermanagh by four points to one to take a 0-10 to 0-5 lead.

I've been dreading the prospect of this because I bonded so well with this group of lads Charlie Mulgrew

By that stage, the excellent Brian Farrell had notched four of Meath's points while Peadar Byrne had hit two scores.

Ciaran O'Reilly's fourth point of the match cut Meath's cut to four points and there then followed a crucial moment as Mark Little's goalbounded effort came back off the Royals woodwork.

A Tom Brewster free and a Shane McDermott point reduced Meath's lead to two but Farrell responded with a steadying score for Meath.

Brewster pointed again for Fermanagh but Meath were not put under serious pressure in the closing minutes as they held on for a deserved win.

Speaking after the game, Mulgrew revealed that he had said an "emotional" farewell to the Fermanagh players.

"To be honest, I've been dreading the prospect of this because I bonded so well with this group of lads," said the Donegal man.

"But I always made clear that this was going to be my final year."

Fermanagh: C Breen, S Goan, B Owens, N Bogue, P Sherry, S McDermott, T McElroy, L McBarron, M Murphy, M Little, T Brewster, E Maguire, C McElroy, C O'Reilly, R Keenan. Subs: N Tinney, D O'Reilly, D Kelly, C Bradley, R Johnston, J McGurn, S Doherty, B Og Maguire, S O'Brien, P McCusker, M McGrath, H Brady, J Sherry, S Lyons.

Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Football Qualifiers (Saturday 14 July)
Derry 2-13 1-6 Mayo
Westmeath 1-8 1-13 Donegal
Kildare 1-10 1-16 Louth
Meath 0-11 0-9 Fermanagh

Tommy Murphy Cup semi-finals (Saturday, 14 July)
Clare 0-10 1-11 Antrim
Wicklow 2-15 0-14 Waterford

Guinness Liam McCarthy Cup qualifiers
Galway 2-31 1-9 Antrim
Laois 1-11 2-14 Clare
Offaly 2-25 2-13 Dublin
Tipperary 2-16 1-18 Cork

Christy Ring Cup
Westmeath 1-14 1-11 Kerry
Down 2-12 1-21 Meath
London 3-10 2-16 Carlow
Derry 3-20 3-12 Wicklow

Nicky Rackard Cup quarter-finals
Roscommon 4-20 1-8 Monaghan
Louth 4-25 1-3 Warwickshire
Armagh 2-19 1-9 Tyrone
Donegal 2-14 2-8 Longford

Sunday's fixtures

ESB Ulster Minor Football Final
Tyrone 0-10 1-6 Derry

Bank of Ireland Ulster Senior Football Final
Tyrone 1-15 1-13 Monaghan

Leinster Senior Football Final
Dublin 3-14 1-14 Laois