Lory Meagher Cup, Round 2
Lancashire 3-10 v Fermanagh 2-16
A more determined and skilful Fermanagh side just about done enough to see off a hard working Lancashire side last Saturday at Pairc na hEireann in Birmingham.
The second win in a week for Seamus McCusker and Sean Duffy’s side now see Fermanagh just one win away from a return to Croke Park to contest the Lory Meagher Final on June 6th.
Lancashire actually started the better of the duo with points coming from Vincent Morrissey and a goal coming from Colm O’Callaghan.
John Paul McGarry and Kevin McGarry then pointed for Fermanagh, while for the hosts Gary Jacob and Damien O’Grady pointed to leave it 1-3 to 0-2 after 12 minutes.
Fermanagh were to then hit a purple patch and points were supplied by the impressive John Duffy (3), Kevin McGarry (2), Ciaran Corrigan and John Paul McGarry and the goal finally arrived for the Erne County in the 19th minute through Ciaran Corrigan to push on 1-9 to 1-3 into the lead with 27 minutes played in the tie.
As the half time whistle loomed both sides traded points with Lancashire’s score coming from Cian O’Callaghan and Fermanagh’s points from John Duffy and John Paul McGarry as Fermanagh deservedly went in at the break leading 1-11 to 1-4.
Fermanagh started the second half excellently with youngster Barrie Duffy making a terrific 70 yard dash with the sliothar from his wing half back position before smashing a terrific shot low into the net to give Fermanagh the perfect start for the second half. Gary Jacob scored two well struck frees in response but once again Fermanagh through Declan McGarry and David Teague were keeping things tight at the back and this then enabled Fermanagh to move forward at pace which seen John Duffy score twice followed by Daniel Teague and Kevin McGarry to make it 2-15 to 1-6 with just under 15 minutes left.
Lancashire who had a strong representation from Fullen Gaels side who made the 2015 Junior all Ireland final hit further second half points from O’Callaghan, Jacob and Morrissey while a goal from Alan Morrissey gave Lancashire hope, but once again Fermanagh were to survive any further pressure which seen John Duffy point from a difficult angle.
Lancashire finished strongly with a goal coming from Kelvin Magee before O’
Callaghan who was lively throughout
pointed as Fermanagh withstood any real late pressure from the hosts.
Best for Fermanagh on the day were defenders Declan McGarry and Mark Slevin, while in attack Kevin McGarry and Brian McLaughlin worked hard and John Duffy was as per usual frighteningly accurate with all of his frees.
Scorers –
Lancashire: C O’Callaghan 1-3, A Morrissey 1-0, K Magee 1-0, G Jacob 0-4, D O’Grady, V Morrissey 0-1 each.
Fermanagh: J Duffy 0-8 (7f), C Corrigan 1-1, K McGarry 0-4, B Duffy 1-0, JP McGarry 0-2, D Teague 0-1.
Lancashire – P Duggan; S Wallace, L Knocker, S Richardson; C Maskey, J O’Shaugnessy, N Unwin; R McEntee, A Morrissey; C O’Callaghan, G Jacob, D O’Grady; K Magee, D Coughlin, V Morrissey. Subs: D Maskey for V Morrissey (25), J Sheehan for Coughlin (44), T Corcoron for O’Grady (63).
Fermanagh – M Curry; D Teague, D McGarry, F Bannon; B Duffy, M Slevin, K Kehoe; J Duffy, D Teague; JP McGarry, K McGarry, A Breslin; B McLaughlin, S Curran, C Corrigan. Subs: T Cleary for Breslin (40), C McGarry for Curry (60), C Rice for Curran (64).
Ref – LMcAuley
By Tom Mon 11th May
