skip to main content

Fermanagh stand firm to repel Antrim's late surge

Garvan Jones was the scorer in chief for Fermanagh as they accounted for their Ulster rivals
Garvan Jones was the scorer in chief for Fermanagh as they accounted for their Ulster rivals

Fermanagh picked up two precious league points in a high-scoring Division 3 contest against Antrim at a sunny Ederney.

But they had to endure some hairy moments in injury time as Antrim fought hard to tie matters.

Ruairí McCann palmed a crossed ball to the net in the 74th minute to leave just a point between the sides.

But it was too late for the Saffrons, as referee Enda McFeely called time much to the delight of the big home crowd.

On balance, Fermanagh deserved their win as an improved second half display was the key to their victory and their late fisted point from Jonny Cassidy was vital, given Antrim's last-gasp goal.

Antrim started briskly and almost had a goal when a long lob caught Erne keeper Ross Bogue well off his line and he did well to deflect the ball around the post when it looked like sailing into the unguarded net.

Antrim keeper Michael Byrne converted the 45 and lively wing forward Paddy McBride eased Antrim into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after four minutes.

The Saffrons were on top around the middle, and should have had a goal as full-forward Fionn Nagle punched the ball just wide after a lightning five- man Antrim move.

In a rare sortie, Antrim keeper Byrne did very well to bat away a rasper form Ulan Kelm.

But almost immediately, Antrim corner forward Ryan McQuillan somehow managed to hit the ball wide with an empty Fermanagh goal gaping.

Ronan Boyle extended their lead to 0-03 to 0-0 but the Ernesiders hit back through a great run from Kelm which released Conor Love and the corner forward slid the ball low to the Antrim net in the 13th minute.

With both defences looking as wide open as Bundoran on a 12th Weekend at times-the scores came pretty quickly.

First Antrim hit the net in the 14th minute when Nagle made no mistake this time as he palmed the ball to the Erne net.

Paddy McBride restored the lead for Antrim as Darragh McGurn levelled matters for the home side on a score of Antrim 0-04 and Fermanagh 1-01.

But Fermanagh hit the visitors with another well worked goal as team captain Declan McCuker placed Garvan Jones who calmly picked his spot to level matters again.

McGurn edged Fermanagh in front for the first time on a score of 2-2 to 1-4 in the 16th minute.

Jones extended Fermanagh’s lead with a free and Patrick Finnegan replied for Antrim to leave the minimum margin between the sides

But Bogue misplaced a pass to a defender and Antrim’s Dominic McEnill had loads of time before leisurely lobbing the ball to the Erne net.

And Nagle added another point to leading by 2-06 to 2-03 as half time approached.

But Antrim were caught out with only two players in their own half and Jones profited from the 13m free to leave the Saffrons in front by 2-06 to 2-04 at the break.

It was a much- improved Fermanagh who emerged on the resumption with Jones hitting two rapid points and then the only two- pointer of the match to put his side into a 2-08 to 2-06 lead.

The lively McBride pointed for Antrim for the Saffrons and McEnhill tied matters and Antrim keeper Byrne put his side briefly into a 2-10 to 2-09.

Kelm made a great run and was fouled for Fionan O’Brien to level matters

It was then Fermanagh took over and Darragh McGurn’s rasping shot shaved the post.

They also hit three wides on the spin before Love, Declan McCusker and McGurn eased them into a 2-13 to 2-10 lead midway through the half.

Antrim manager Andy McEntee got a yellow card and cost his side a 13m free and Jones converted the 13- metre free to make it 2-14 to 2-10.

Cono Hand was on target for Antrim on the home stretch and McQuillan point a free to leave just two points between in a frenetic finish.

But, points from O’Brien and Cassidy gave the badly needed four- point cushion as they eventually prevailed by a point after McCann’s goal at the death.

KEY: tp - two-point score; tpf - two-point free; tpm - two-point mark

Fermanagh: Rosss Bogue; Lee Cullen, Ronan McCaffrey, Che Cullen, Jonny Cassidy, (0-02), Declan McCusker (0-01) Ultan Kelm; Joe McDade, Darragh McGurn (0-03); Shane McGullion, Fionan O’Brien (0-02f), Paul Breen; Josh Largo Ellis, Garvan Jones (1-0-7 (1tp) Conor Love (1-01)

Subs; Jack Largo Ellis for Paul Breen (44), Diarmuid Owens for Ultan Kelm (55)

Antrim: Michael Byrne; (0-02,1,45); John Morgan, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; Ronan Boyle (0-01) Joseph Finnegan, Dermot McAleese; Conor Stewart (0-01), Conor Hand (0-01); Patrick Finnegan (0-01) Marc Jordan, Paddy McBride (0-03,1f); Dominic McEnhill (1-01) Fionn Nagle (1-01) Ryan McQuillan (0-01).

Subs; Ruairi McCann (1-0) for Patrick Finnegan (h-time), Patrick Ferris for Kavan Keenan (44), Niall Burns for Ronan Boyle (56).

Referee: Enda McFeely (Donegal)

Read Next