Armagh were ruthlessly filleting them like the master swordsman toying with his apprentice. All the mystique created around Fermanagh in the last year was being methodically stripped away. Fermanagh looked like, well, Fermanagh again.

The journalists were preparing the "bridge too far" headines. Then came the now obligatory fluked goal (their four goals in the Championship have all been flukes) which made us pause, but only for a moment.

Stephen McDonnell's swift response restored the margin to six and the game seemed over. But this group is different. Malachy - at least outwardly - appeared relaxed. His players didn't look the slightest bit put off. Compare and contrast with Wexford. When the Dubs got their goal just after half-time, the light faded in their eyes and they accepted their fate. By the 10th minute of the second half, Wexford were looking and playing like sad dogs.

Meanwhile in Clones, Fermanagh were only starting. They reminded me of The Black Knight in Monty Python's Holy Grail, who guards the Sacred Bridge. Sir Launcelot arrives at the bridge and explains that he is the greatest swordsman in England. The Black Knight won't let him past, they fight for a moment, and Launcelot chops off his arm. As the blood comes scooting out of it, Launcelot goes to walk past and the Black Knight comes at him again, swinging furiously with his remaining arm. They fight again and Launcelot cuts off his other arm. As he again attempts to pass, the Black Knight bounces in front of him, tells him he cannot pass and butts him with his upper body. "But I've cut your arms off " says Launcelot. "It’s only a flesh wound" answers the Black Knight.

When Fermanagh fell eight points behind, we foolishly thought they had been fatally wounded. It turns out it was only a flesh wound!

The fact that they forced a draw will have confirmed to them their invincibility. Malachy O'Rourke can say "You see lads, we cannot be beaten!"

And they will believe it, of this there can be no doubt. Their comeback against Derry was impressive, but it began early (Derry were six up after 15 minutes) and Derry are in disarray. Their comeback against this Armagh team is in an entirely different category. Armagh looked devastating and played football at a level that was way above their opponents. Their movement of the ball, their tackling, their organisation, their creativeness, the quality of their finishing was, for 40 minutes, virtually perfect.

During that time, they didn't look so much like Ulster champions, more All-Ireland champions in the making. But what happened afterwards raises questions.

Against Down they were likewise great for 40 minutes, then went into their shell.