Other teams may have crumbled and slumped into a vortex of self-pity, but not this side. Instead, they took a long, hard look at themselves and realised that, even with the odds stacked against them, they are much better than that.

If the Wee County had of crumbled in the second half, it would have been easy to blame injuries for the sudden change in fortunes in this match, but again, rather than lick their wounds and lie down, Louth, like a wounded animal, went on the attack in the second half and reaped the benefits.

In a week where Irish people will throw money on horses at Cheltenham, Fitzpatrick took a major gamble of his own when he decided to hand starts to Sean O'Neill, Paddy Keenan and Ray Finnegan.

O'Neill may have featured in the Cavan win the week before, but he was carrying a hamstring injury coming into the game. Keenan had not featured since the Sligo defeat, whilst Finnegan damaged his ankle in the challenge match against Dublin over two weeks ago.

Gamble

The gamble paid off, for 30 minutes at least, but then a major reshuffle was on the cards for Fitzpatrick and his backroom staff. Throughout the game, the Louth team featured four midfield combinations, with six players stepping in to fill the breach, something which is not ideal in any game, never mind a league clash.

But again, rather than let that deter them, Louth saw it as a motivation. With their backs against the wall, it was do or die and on Sunday, this Louth team was simply not prepared to roll over for the Erne Men.

After a disastrous start against Cavan last week, there was serious pressure on the Louth defence to show their solidarity from the start. In the space of ten minutes, Cavan had four one-on-one chances, but in Brewster Park, the defence was somewhat transformed.

Gone was the gaping holes that Cavan exploited so well, replaced by a new found composure and tightness. Although Fermanagh hit their first score on five minutes, they did not register another score until the 30th minute, a further indication of how well the defence played on the day.

But for all the plaudits that the defence deserve, it is points and goals that win you games and on the day, Louth's forward line was dazzling.

JP and Aaron Hoey, through a lethal combination of clever play and pace tortured the Fermanagh full back line and when Shane Lennon joined them in the second half, the trio looked as dangerous as any forward line in the country.

Louth got off to a superb start, as Brian White, who started the game on the half forward line, hit a point followed shortly by a Keenan free. The sides traded points then after, with Hoey smacking over a great point after a Stephen Fitzpatrick long ball.