Allianz NFL Division 2, Round 1
Down 0-10 v Fermanagh 1-16
Fermanagh manager Pete McGrath (pictured) returned to his former County and picked up two valuable points as a confident Fermanagh dispatched Down with some style to start their NFL campaign with a fully deserving nine point victory in Newry on Saturday evening.
Fermanagh started much the brighter of the two sides and raced into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead but it was Down who raised the first white flag of the evening thanks to former Ballymena United soccer player Alan Davidson but three Tomas Corrigan frees and an Eddie Courtney score put three between them early on.
Down responded much better mid way through the first half and points from Burren’s Conaill McGovern, Glenn’s Shay Millar and Bredagh’s Alan Davidson (2) made it Down 0-5 to Fermanagh’s 0-4 after 31 minutes.
Fermanagh were guilty of a number of wides in the first half but they finished the half superbly well with late scores from Sean Quigley and Tomas Corrigan to give McGrath’s side a 0-6 to 0-5 interval lead.
Tomas Corrigan converted his fifth score of the evening just two minutes into the second half before further scores from Aidan Breen, Paul McCusker and Breen again put Fermanagh firmly in control, 0-10 to 0-5.
Tomas Corrigan and Alan Davidson exchanged scores at either end before Down’s Kevin McKernan was introduced to the game as a sub and quickly hit a delightful point to put four between them.
Down were now more into the game and Joe Murphy hit an eighth Down score but that was as good as it got for Eamon Burns’ side as Fermanagh’s Tomas Corrigan drilled over a score from 45 meters out before they were to hit the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute thanks to Teemore Shamrocks forward Eoin McManus to make it 1-12 to 0-8.
Barry Mulrone and Tomas Corrigan hit further Erne scores before substitute Cathal Beacom hit a fine point to leave it 1-15 to 0-8 with the game going into 7 minutes of additional time and the Down supporters heading for their cars.
Ryan Lyons would also make an entrance onto the Pairc Esler pitch to hit a point for McGraths side to bring the Erne scorers to an eye catching nine, while Down hit two late points thanks to Alan Davidson and Aidan Carr.
Fermanagh easily the better side here and we now look forward to welcoming Galway to Enniskillen next Sunday February 12th at 2.00pm.
Down – Alan Davidson 0-5, Shay Millar, Conaill McGovern, Kevin McKernan, Joe Murphy, Aidan Carr all 0-1 each.
Fermanagh – Tomas Corrigan 0-8, Eoin McManus 1-0, Aidan Breen 0-2, Sean Quigley, Eddie Courtney, Paul McCusker, Barry Mulrone, Cathal Beacom, Ryan Lyons all 0-1 each.
Referee – Fergal Kelly (Longford)
