FERMANAGH SFL DIVISION 1
Maguiresbridge 2-8 v Derrygonnelly 2-10
League Champions Derrygonnelly Harps were to move top of the league on Wednesday night with a two point victory over a Maguiresbridge side who will look back on 8 wides in the second half that was a major downfall to the home side.
The Harps who are the form team in Division 1 now with 6 wins on the trot and top scorers in the league took only 1 minute to get on the scoreboard when lively attacker Paul Ward was to point.
Wing half back Stephen Reihill soon made it all level in the 3rd minute but once again the away side pressed ahead through corner forward Stephen McGullion.
The game was close throughout and on 6 minutes it was 0-2 apiece as Ronan Teague done well to point after a superb run by Ciaran Corrigan.
Conor Hoy responded for Derrygonnelly once again to give them the lead for the third time and Derrygonnelly really made their mark on the game in the 15th minute when Garvan Jones, Jonathan McGurn and Conor Hoy all exchanged passes before Hoy blasted his shot to the net.
Just 1 minute later Maguiresbridge had responded with a goal themselves as Matthew Teague found Sean Corrigan with an inch perfect pass that seen Corrigan finish to the net and make it 1-2 to 1-3 on 16 minutes.
The game was to see a third goal in the 23rd minute when Paul Ward fisted a through ball to Fermanagh minor captain Shane McGullion who got up from wing half back to finish like a veteran and push Derrygonnelly 4 clear before his brother Stephen McGullion was to make it 1-2 to 2-4.
Maguiresbridge though did not bow to the Double champions and instead Niall Jackman’s side came back with 1-1 inside 2 minutes as Sean Corrigan pointed before Niall Rice seen his shot end up in the back of the net to make it 2-3 to 2-4 on 26 minutes.
Derrygonnelly though would finish the first half that bit better and added points through Garvan Jones and Declan Cassidy to leave the away side ahead, 2-3 to 2-6.
Maguiresbridge came out for the second half in terrific fashion and hit 3 points in a row in 4 second half minutes from Sean Corrigan, Ciaran Corrigan and Matthew Teague to tie the side’s level in a game that looked like it would go down right to the wire.
Garvan Jones pointed for the Harps after good work by Declan Cassidy and in the 47th minute Leigh Jones pointed from a free to make it 2-6 to 2-8 in favour of Derrygonnelly.
A Sean Corrigan shot was to hit the crossbar and go over the bar in the 49th minute and just a minute later the sides were all level once again as Dwayne Rice swiftly moved in from the corner to point to leave it 2-8 apiece with 9 minutes remaining.
Maguiresbridge had chances to press ahead in this game but with the wrong shot selection and some poor wides they weren’t able to and instead the calm head of Derrygonnelly’s Leigh Jones was to point in the 53rd and 56th minutes to put Derrygonnelly two clear.
Maguiresbridge pressed late on for a score but once again they failed to hit the target and Derrygonnelly were to hold on to claim the two points.
Next up for table toppers Derrygonnelly is a short trip to neighbours Belcoo on Sunday, for Maguiresbridge who sit in 8th it’s a another tough test as they travel to face Roslea.
Referee – Niall Cullen (Erne Gaels)
Maguiresbridge – Sean Corrigan 1-3, Niall Rice 1-0, Stephen Reihill 0-1, Ronan Teague 0-1, Ciaran Corrigan 0-1, Matthew Teague 0-1, Dwayne Rice 0-1.
Derrygonnelly – Conor Hoy 1-1, Leigh Jones 0-3, Shane McGullion 1-0, Stephen McGullion 0-2, Garvan Jones 0-2, Declan Cassidy 0-1, Paul Ward 0-1.
