Fermanagh 1-17 Laois 0-10
A superb first half scoring blitz from Fermanagh’s Tomas Corrigan was the catalyst for this necessary and thoroughly deserved home victory over a very lethargic Laois side.
The Dublin-based corner forward hit a stunning 1-8 in the opening half, including a well- finished goal that appeared to puncture all of Laois’s early ambitions.
And any apprehensions that the Ernesiders would struggle in the enforced absence of marksman Sean Quigley evaporated, as Corrigan grew in confidence after his side’s early goal.
Corrigan’s brother Ruairi and Michael Jones combined to set up the corner forward who blasted the ball to the roof of the Laois net in the 7th minute.
Corrigan’s cracker negated early Laois points from Donal and Paul Kingston.
The winners were well worth their 1-10 to 0-4 interval lead as Laois were forced to rely on sporadic sorties as Corrigan calmly converted the frees.
Fermanagh’s almost casual dominance continued on the start with quick fire points from Aidan Breen, Corrigan,Barry Mulrone and Ryan Jones.
Laois threw on a few subs, but their agony in Brewster Park continued as the home side cruised to one of their most emphatic victories.
Laois did manage to hit the last four points of the match from Kingston, but this was a woeful display from the O’Moore County who never looked like bothering their smaller but much livelier Erne rivals.
A deserved win for the home side, and their big margin of victory could prove crucial in the latter stages of an ultra competitive division.
Fermanagh: C Snow, M Jones, C Cullen, N Cassidy; P Reihill, J McMahon, A Breen (0-1); E Donnelly, R O’Callaghan; B Mulrone (0-2), R Corrigan, D McCusker (0-1); P McCusker (0-1) R Jones (0-1), T Corrigan (1-11, 7f). Subs: C Jones for R Jones (50), M O’Brien for P Reihill (55), J Duffy for J Duffy (65), D Kelly for C Cullen (67), P Cadden for P McCusker (68).
Laois: G Brody, R Kehoe, M Timmons, D Seale; D Strong, C Begley, D O’Connor; K Lillis, J O’Loughlin; D Kingston (0-76f) N Nonoher, P Cahillane; C Meredith, B Quigley, P Kingston (0-2). Subs: R O’Connor for N Donoher (32), D O’Reilly for D O’Connor (h-time), A Farrell for C Begley (45), G Dillon for C Lillis (54), E Costello for P Cahillane (60), P McGovern for M Jones (64).
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
By Tom Sun 6th Mar
