Mayo were just on the right side of the thin line between winning and losing in Croke Park last Saturday. They seemed spurred on by the fear of defeat while Fermanagh were paralysed by the fear of winning.

Three or four minutes before the end of this enthralling encounter they summoned up the required belief to shake off a Fermanagh team who have set this year's championship alight with their voyage through the back door.

Most importantly, when Mayo were vulnerable they held their nerve. Things that did not work for them last week clicked this time.

With five minutes remaining it was still anybody's game but significantly Fermanagh couldn't get more than a point ahead, even when they controlled possession. Late on, they had some very bad misses from key players Colm Bradley, Stephen Maguire and Tom Brewster.

For a 15-minute period in the second half Mayo were ragged but when some inspiration was really needed late on David Heaney showed great leadership to win the free for the equalising point, which Conor Mortimer kicked.

For the previous 20 minutes it looked as if neither side had the courage to go for the jugular. Fermanagh fluffed a number of chances to increase their lead; in contrast Mayo took theirs in those vital closing moments.

It was fitting that Trevor Mortimer and Austin O'Malley got the final two points to ensure victory. Mortimer had a huge game. He had the better of Barry Owens right from the beginning. The excellent Fermanagh full back was a shadow of last week and didn't look fit.

There was criticism that O'Malley wasn't brought on last week. When he entered the fray in the final quarter he freed Trevor Mortimer to the half-forward line, where he caused havoc running at Fermanagh's defence. Also, Niall Bogue's man-marking job on Kieran McDonald had to be cut short as Ryan McCluskey was getting the run-around from Conor Mortimer. Clearly, valuable lessons were learned by the Mayo management last week.

The other substitutions also worked well. Introducing Dermot Geraghty was the right call as Conor Moran was on a yellow card.

The management will feel justified by their decision to drop David Brady, although he did kick an important point after coming in. He should start the final. One advantage from the whole move is that the players know nobody is guaranteed a place.

As in the first match, the standard wasn't exceptional but Mayo were the better team. However, when they analyse the game they will wonder why it took so long to shake off Fermanagh. They dominated significant periods of the first half but were only three points up. Then, against the run of play, James Sherry got Fermanagh's goal to undo Mayo's endeavours.

Certain players dragged them through. David Heaney was magnificent and Ronan McGarrity was the best player on the pitch during the opening half hour. McDonald thrived in the extra space and some of his foot passing was sublime.

The spine of Fermanagh's team struggled. Owens and Bogue were ineffective. Martin McGrath and Stephen Maguire never really got going. James Sherry should have been in from the start. They were trying to plug leaks all over the field and seemed bereft of attacking ideas.

Yet, it must be remembered that Fermanagh have been the team of the championship. When they recover from the defeat the full extent of their achievements will sink in and they can be very proud. They will never again be taken for granted in Ulster or outside.

The Mayo performance would not be good enough to win the All-Ireland but there is no doubt the better team won the replay.

Looking ahead to the final, their situation is ideal - in contrast with 1996 and 1997 when they were expected to win.

They won't be favourites but they won't be written off either.