It was a tale of two McCartans at Clones this afternoon, as an emergent Down side disposed of Fermanagh on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-11 in the Ulster SFC semi-final.
Down's victory on the day hinged on two goals - the first from a penalty awarded to and converted by Greg McCartan, the second scored by substitute James McCartan.
Despite a brief Fermanagh revival in the second half, the goal from veteran campaigner James McCartan sparked enough of a Down revival to ensure victory and their Ulster final place against Tyrone on July 13th in Clones.
The day had begun somewhat brightly for Fermanagh - with their nifty half forward line causing Down some early problems - Raymie Gallagher pointed from two frees, and Ryan Keenan scored twice from play, within the first 20 minutes.
Down however, had their reply ready. Man of the match Greg McCartan scored three points (he finished the day with a tally of 1-5), while Liam Doyle, Ronan Murtagh and Robbie Coulter each added a point apiece.
The turning point of the first half was also instigated by the younger McCartan. A darting run through to the centre of the Fermanagh backline resulted in the forward being brought down, as he slotted the ball into the back of the net. The referee ruled out the goal, and awarded Down the penalty. Showing no little nerve, McCartan slotted the ball home. His pointed free minutes later ensured that Down went in at the interval with a 1-7 to 0-6 advantage.
The Down gameplan was cast into disarray four minutes into the second half, however, when Brian Burns was sent off, receiving a second yellow card for tugging on the jersey of Fermanagh danger man Stephen McGuire. Thus began a brief revival on the part of the Lakeland County.
Suddenly Fermanagh's forwards had discovered the conviction that was missing in the previous half, scoring five points - two from Ronan McCabe and a point each from McGuire, Gallagher and Colm Bradley - without reply, taking a one point lead in the process. Eventually, 20 minutes into the second half, Greg McCartan pointed for Down.
Cue McCartan the elder. Two minutes after entering the game as a substitute frantic square-ball tussle saw the ball break to the veteran. He drove it into the net and with 15 minutes to play Down had regained their advantage.
They would not lose it again. Two pointed frees from Liam Doyle brought Down's tally to 2-10, while Fermanagh, heads to the floor, did not point again.
And there it ended. While Down are set for what should prove to be an interestingly tight clash with Tyrone in the final, Fermanagh are resigned to a qualifiers' game against Cavan next weekend.
One word of warning for the Mourne County. Half of their scores today, and all of their second half points, came from frees. Paddy O'Rourke will have to force some hard shooting practice upon his charges between now and July 13th - Tyrone will not be so forgiving.