Laois 1-19 Fermanagh 2-15 Fermanagh exited the All-Ireland Championship after a one point defeat to Laois in Portlaoise on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the qualifiers.
This was an improved display from Fermanagh, a better team selection and game plan making them a more formidable outfit but the players will all be disappointed having come so close to upsetting a fancied Laois side.
The teams were level at the break following a Barry Owens goal and Fermanagh played with the breeze at their back in the second but a scrambled Laois goal from Billy Sheehan with 20 minutes remaining when Fermanagh led by two points turned the game in the favour of Laois.
Laois then edged four points ahead before a Sean Quigley penalty brought Fermanagh back into the game entering the final five minutes.
Laois again pulled three points clear but injury time points from Eamon Maguire and Niall Cassidy left it a one point game as the final whistle neared.
However, Laois won a crucial kick out and the final whistle sounded soon after as Fermanagh made their exit from championship football before some teams have even played in it.
Sean Quigley was impressive with a tally of 1-08, Ruairi Corrigan was influential while the defence certainly battled much better than against Antrim. However, Laois edged midfield especially when it mattered in the second half.
A long break now ensues for Pete McGrath and his players before the league in February with much soul searching to be done,
This was, however, an improved display from the Antrim encounter
By admin Wed 25th Jun
