A power-packed first half from the impressive home side pushed Fermanagh to a deserved Division 3 victory over Longford in Ederney.
The physically powerful winners led 0-11 to 0-06 at the break inspired by big performances from the towering Darragh McGurn, Ultan Kelm and the accurate Sean Quigley, who finished with 0-07 from frees.
O'Byrne Cup winners Longford struggled with the sheer power and pace of the home side while experienced Erne full-back Ché Cullen nullified the threat of the opposing full-forward duo of David McGivney and Dessie Reynolds.
And the Erne side were on top at midfield where they used the breaking ball to great effect.
But they hit eight wides in a patchy second half where they had major possession. It mattered little in the end though, as Kieran Donnelly’s side made the ideal start to the league season.
Fermanagh had a bright start and eased into a two-point lead by the four minute, although that advantage was cancelled out by efforts from David McGivney and Dylan Farrell.
That set the scene for a high scoring first half where the sides were level on three occasions.
Marksman Sean Quigley and Ryan Lyons pushed Fermanagh to a 0-05 to 0-03 lead by the end of the first quarter as an outgunned Longford side relied mainly on McGivney to keep in touch.
But they spurned a great goal chance after 16 minutes when a bad Erne kick-out went straight to Longford wing-forward Mickey Quinn, but his shot shaved the post.
Fermanagh were dominating midfield and the Longford defence were struggling to cope with the power and pace of Kelm and the impressive McGurn, who hit the point of the half after a great solo.
Longford dangerman Reynolds sparked to life and set up the nippy Iarla O'Sullivan for a point in the 18th minute.
But it was all Fermanagh, who looked fitter and sharper, at that stage with Quigley and Johnny Cassidy easing them into a 0-11 to 0-06 half-time lead.
The scoring rate dropped dramatically in a poor quality second half with just six points scores in all.
Quigley’s earlier accuracy seemed to desert him, and he hit five wides.
But Longford failed to profit on the Ernesiders bout of misfiring, and the home teaam eased through for a vital and a comfortable victory.
Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Ché Cullen, Luke Flanagan, Cian McManus (0-01); Ronan McCaffrey, Jonathan Cassidy (0-01), Shane McGullion; Ryan Jones (0-01), Brandon Horan; Josh Largo Ellis, Ryan Lyons (0-01), Sean Cassidy (0-01); Darragh McGurn (0-02), Ultan Kelm (0-01), Sean Quigley (0-07, 0-07fs).
Subs: Tommy McCafffrey for Sean Cassidy (50), Ciaran Corrigan for Ryan Lyons (52), Garret Cavanagh for Ché Cullen (57, inj) Aidan Breen for Darragh McGurn (67), Fionan O’Brien for Josh Largo Ellis (72).
Longford: Patrick Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Barry O’Farrell; Ryan Moffet, Gary Rogers, Iarla O’Sullivan (0-02); Darren Gallagher, Fergal Sheridan; Michael Quinn, Daniel Mimnagh, Dylan Farrell (0-01, 0-01f); Keelin McGann (0-01), David McGivney (0-04, 0-04f), Dessie Reynolds.
Subs: Aaron Farrell for Dylan Farrell (33), James McGivney for Michael Quinn (43), Peter Lynn for Gary Rogers (44), PJ Masterson for Ryan Moffett (55), Robbie Smyth for Keelin McGann.
Referee: John Gilmartin (Sligo).
