Dublin 2-23 Fermanagh 2-15
Fermanagh made their exit from the All-Ireland SFC despite a courageous effort, losing their quarter-final to Dublin by 2-23 to 2-15.
Bernard Brogan’s 1-04 and three Ciaran Kilkenny points helped Dublin to a 1-13 to 0-06 lead, with Sean Quigley, Barry Mulrone and Tomas Corrigan hitting two Erne points each.
Quigley and Tomas Corrigan pulled back goals, while Paul Flynn palmed home Dublin’s second as the Metropolitans eased to an eight-point victory over the battling Ernesiders.
A crowd of 58,630 watched a highly entertaining contest that won Fermanagh many admirers for their adventurous approach.
They battled to the end and were rewarded with two goals, but never looked like causing an upset.
Fermanagh, playing into the wind, dominated the opening five minutes, but were unable to find that finishing touch, and it was the Dubs who registered with their first shot through Paddy Andrews.
Brian Fenton’s accurate long-range pass sent Bernard Brogan in to make it 0-03 to 0-01 after Sean Quigley had punched over the opening Erne point.
Ciaran Kilkenny landed his second as the Leinster champions countered at pace, and when Jack McCaffrey surged out of defence to find Brogan in space, the former Footballer of the Year gave Tomas Treacy no chance with a crisp finish for the opening goal on 13 minutes.
Fenton’s power and presence around midfield helped Dublin gain the ascendancy and their well-organised defence gave their opponents few opportunities to get decent shots away, although Tomas Corrigan did exploit a slip to angle over a neat score.
Despite the best efforts of Declan McCusker, Marty O’Brien and Ryan McCluskey, the Dubs eased into a six-point lead through Brogan.
Fermanagh maintained their focus and displayed a willingness to commit men to the attack, hitting back with two excellent Barry Mulrone points from play.
Cian O’Sullivan nipped in to snuff out a couple of Erne raids, and Jim Gavin’s men began to move with efficiency and pace, hitting six of the last seven points of the half, the pick of them a beautiful Diarmuid Connolly effort, while Brogan brought his tally to 1-04.
Dublin turned around with a 1-13 to 0-06 lead, all of their scores having come from play.
James McMahon cleared a Dean Rock effort off the line early in the second half as the pressure mounted on the Fermanagh defence, with Rock and Andrews tagging on points.
The gulf in class was becoming increasingly evident by the minute, Dublin’s movement, pace and support play stretching the Ulster men as Rock added another couple to his tally.
But Fermanagh were determined that they would not leave Croke Park without giving it a real lash.
Quigley pulled back a couple of points and they were awarded a goal when the full-forward nudged goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton over the line as he gathered Damien Kelly’s shot.
Dublin responded with a second goal, palmed home by Paul Flynn after Brogan and Rock had combined.
But the Erne warriors had more to offer, with substitute Conall Jones landing a couple of eye-catching scores before Tomas Corrigan nipped in to net after Cluxton and his defenders suffered a communication breakdown.
Dublin: S Cluxton, J Cooper, R O’Carroll, P McMahon, J McCarthy, C O’Sullivan, J McCaffrey, B Fenton (0-01), D Bastick, P Flynn (1-01), C Kilkenny (0-03), D Connolly (0-02), D Rock (0-07, 2f, 1 ’45), P Andrews (0-03), B Brogan (1-06)
Subs: MD Macauley for Bastick, K McManamon for Kilkenny, A Brogan for Connolly, M Fitzsimons for Cooper, J Small for McCarthy, C Costello for Andrews
Fermanagh: T Treacy, M Jones, M O’Brien, N Cassidy, D McCusker, R McCluskey, J McMahon, E Donnelly, R O’Callaghan, B Mulrone (0-03), R Jones, R Corrigan, P McCusker, S Quigley (1-08, 0-4f), T Corrigan (1-02, 0-1f)
Subs: D Kelly for P McCusker, T Daly for M Jones, C Jones (0-02) for D McCusker, D Kille for R Corrigan
Referee: P O’Sullivan (Kerry)
By Tom Mon 3rd Aug
