Seven second-half points from Conor Love powered Fermanagh past Wexford and to a top-place finish in Group 4 of the Tailteann Cup after Sunday's clash at Croke Park.
Fermanagh quickly asserted after trailing by 1-8 to 0-9 at half-time to take control of proceedings, with Love on song as midfielder Darragh McGurn also made his presence felt.
It completed an exemplary recovery by Fermanagh from their shock opening day loss to Carlow as they secure a fortnight’s break and a home quarter-final.
Wexford, meanwhile, after a second defeat at GAA HQ this season – having lost the Division 4 league final to Limerick – must settle for a home preliminary quarter-final.
Wexford overcame a jittery start to respond by crafting a 1-3 to 0-2 lead after thirteen minutes.
Fionan O’Brien slotted over a second-minute free for Fermanagh as Kieran Donnelly’s men attacked with some relish from the start.
And Ronan McCaffrey was denied a goal for the Ulster men at the expense of a fruitless ’45 in the seventh minute after a neat move involving Conor McGee and Conor Love, shortly before midfielder Joe McDade settled Fermanagh into a 0-2 to no-score advantage.
Wexford eventually hit their stride to turn the tables in quite some fashion.
Páraic Hughes levelled with a two-pointer before Mark Rossiter turned over the subsequent kick-out to send Seán Nolan haring in from the Cusack Stand side to slot to the net in the twelfth minute (1-2 to 0-2).
Both sides went close with goal chances before Rossiter boosted Wexford further with another two-pointer, but Fermanagh remained dangerous as O’Brien, McDade and Love shaved the margin to 1-5 to 0-5 after 24 minutes.
The Ernesiders generated another goal threat, with Wexford 'keeper Darragh Brooks saving low from the lively Fionan O’Brien.
Wexford had a third two-pointer – midfielder Niall Hughes obliging – to lead 1-7 to 0-6 before their rivals grabbed the last three points of the half to close to within 1-8 to 0-9 at the change-of-ends as Ryan Lyons, Ronan McCaffrey and Josh Largo-Ellis hit warning signals for their opponents.
The winners’ misfortune in front of goal was added to seven minutes into the second-half when wing-back Shane McGullion was sent through the middle by Largo-Ellis only to see his drive fly over off the crossbar and restore parity (0-12 to 1-9).
That arrived in an unanswered five-point burst as Fermanagh took hold by 0-14 to 1-9 after 45 minutes with the aid of doubles from midfielder Darragh McGurn and Conor Love.
While Glen Malone and free-taker Seán Nolan had Wexford back on terms after 54 minutes (1-13 to 0-16), Fermanagh were in command at that stage, and a two-pointer from Garvan Jones allied to Love’s continued excellent finishing ensured they surged to the summit of the group.
Fermanagh: Seán McNally; Oisín Smyth, Lee Cullen, Luke Flanagan; Shane McGullion (0-1), Declan McCusker, Fionan O’Brien (0-2, 1f); Joe McDade (0-2), Darragh McGurn (0-3); Conor McGee, Ryan Lyons (0-1), Ronan McCaffrey (0-2); Josh Largo-Ellis (0-1), Garvan Jones (0-4, 1tp, 1f), Conor Love (0-8, 1f).
Subs: Jonathan Cassidy (0-1) for Smyth (HT), Aogan Kelm for McGee (60), Seán Cassidy for Jones (63), Jack Largo-Ellis for McCusker (65).
Wexford: Darragh Brooks; Liam O’Connor, Gavin Sheehan (0-2, 1tp), Michael Furlong (0-1); Eoin Porter, Eoghan Nolan, Glen Malone (0-2); Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes (0-2, 1tp); Páraic Hughes (0-4, 1tp), Tom Byrne, Mark Rossiter (0-2, 1tp); Kevin O’Grady, Martin O’Connor, Seán Nolan (1-3 0-2f).
Subs: Jack Higgins (0-1) for E Nolan, inj. (23), Dylan Furlong for M Furlong (56), Robbie Brooks for O’Grady (59), Conor Carty for Malone (63), Ben Brosnan for S Nolan (68).
Referee: David Murnane (Cork).
