Fermanagh 1-13 Antrim 0-08
The game was very tight but the Ernesiders pulled away in the final five minutes kicking an unanswered 1-03. Pete McGrath’s side led at the break 0-10 to 0-08 and were worthy of that lead. Antrim were reduced to 14 men on 31 minutes when referee Maurice Deegan showed a straight red card to full back Sean McVeigh after a high elbow challenge on Ciaran Flaherty.
The first half was full of errors and Fermanagh lost two key players to injury Ryan McCluskey and Ruairi Corrigan. Ryan Jones had an outstanding first half and was one of the bright lights of the first half kicking 0-02 from play. Jones opened the scoring in Brewster Park and that score was quickly followed with a point from Tomas Corrigan. Antrim responded with a point of there own from Ryan Murray to leave the score 0-2 to 0-1 after 7 minutes. Ryan Jones and Ciaran Flaherty then went on to kick a point apiece to leave two between the sides before CJ McGourty kicked a free to narrow the gap back to one. However, Antrim were then dealt a massive blow when full back Sean McVeigh, who had been playing well was shown a red card for a high challenge on Ciaran Flaherty. Fermanagh capitalised immediately and Barry Mulrone kicked a fine point to leave three between the sides. Fermanagh went in at the break two points ahead.
The second half began with both CJ McGourty and Sean Quigley swapping frees. Jones who had a terrific game then went on to kick a superb point from distance to leave two between the team again. Quigley hit another free on 49 minutes to put Fermanagh four points ahead, 0-9 to 0-5. The game failed to pick up in pace but CJ McGourty continued to give an exhibition in free taking. He hit three frees in a seven minute spell, while Mulrone pointed for Fermanagh to break the scoring for Antrim. McGourty kicked another free and brought the Glensmen within two points, 0-10 to 0-08 after 60 minutes of play. Paul McCusker, Daniel Kille and Quigley added further points to extend Fermanagh’s lead to five.
Kille in fact should of had a goal in injury, but instead was fouled by Niall Delargy at the edge of the small square. Sean Quigley was given the responsibility of taking the penalty and he truly obliged as he buried the ball to the back of net. There was no time for an Antrim comeback and Fermanagh prevailed to book an Ulster Semi Final with Monaghan on the 21st of June.
