Fermanagh reach Tailteann Cup semi final for the first time after narrow win against Sligo

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

Tailteann Cup quarter-final: Fermanagh 0-21 Sligo 1-16
Impressive Fermanagh reached the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup for the first time after a narrow but deserved victory over Armagh in Brewster Park on a night when Armagh manager Tony McEntee stood down after five years in charge The home side.
They had a distinct physical edge which they used to their advantage and their forwards were much more accurate than their Sligo counterparts who hit six second half wides from scorable positions.
It looked good for Sligo when a Niall Murphy goal and a point eased them into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead after 17 minutes.
But resilient Fermanagh took over, spurred by a well struck two pointer from marksman Garvan Jones.
The home side led by 0-14 to 1-6 at the break.
And, even though Sligo pegged it back to point ten minutes into the second half, the home side kicked ahead and held off a late Sligo surge for a goal.
Shane McGullion and Shane Deignan swapped early points which signalled a ding dong first half.
Cian Lally and Garvan Jones also exchanged points before Ryan Lyons and a magical effort from Conor Love opened up a two- point lead by the seventh minute.
The impressive Deignan narrowed the gap and Niall Murphy levelled before Sligo struck the net after 17 minutes.
A Cian Lally effort was half blocked and the ball fell at the feet of Murphy who ushered the ball over the lien and a swiftly following free put Sligo into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead.
But, with Fermanagh gaining dominance around midfield, the Yeats County could only manage two more points in eighteen minutes.
Garvan Jones responded with a two- pointer free for the home side which was answered by a Muphy free.
Ryan Lyons then hit the point of the half while holding off three Sligo players to begin a strong Erne revival.
Aidan Devaney delayed too long with the Sligo kickout and it was punished by a close in free from Jones as the lively Love made it all square in the 22nd minute.
It was all Fermanagh in the run up to the break and they should also have goaled just before the break.
Jones, from a free, Ronan McCaffrey and a fine effort on the run put the home side into a 0-12 to 1-6 lead.
Darragh McGurn pointed and the home side had a great chance of a goal in the 32nd minute when a lightning move ended with Joe McDade's palmed effort coming back in play and Ryan Lyons shot saved at point blank range.
McCaffrey ended the half with a fine two pointer as they led by 0-14 to 1-6 at the break The outstanding Murphy got the first point of the second half, and this was followed by a fine two pointer from David Quinn.
Fermanagh looked rattled but a fine point from Josh Largo Ellis restored their momentum.
Towering midfielder Joe McDade was also on target and further points from Fionan O'Brien and Declan McCusker made it 0-18 to1-11.
Sligo mounted a late rally but snatched at their shots and hit a few bad wides.
Murphy and O'Brien traded points and McCusker was on target, and Pat Spillane had a final two pointer but it was not enough.
A deserved win for Fermanagh who now look forward to another outing in Croke Park next week.
FERMANAGH: S McNally; L Flanagan, L Cullen, O Smyth; S McGullion (0-1) D McCusker (0-1) F O'Brien (0-2,1f) J McDade (0-2) D McGurn (0-2); J Cassidy, R Lyons (0-2) R McCaffrey (0-31tp); J Largo Ellis (0-2) G Jones (0-4, 1tp)) C Love (0-2).
Subs: S Cassidy for G Jones (55), C McGee for D McCusker (54), C Cullen for J McDade and A Kelm for R Lyons (71)
SLIGO: A Devaney; E Lyons, E McGuinness, B Cox; M Gordon, J Lavin, L Towey; C Mulligan, P O'Connor (0-31tp); A Reilly, D Quinn (0-2tp) C Lally (0-1); A McLoughlin, N Murphy (1-6,1f) S Deignan (0-2).
Subs: R Doherty for S Deignan (h-time), P Spillane (0-2tp) for D Quinn (52), D Walsh for M Gordon and E Smith for A Reilly (61), P McNamara for J Lavin (62).