A weakened Longford brought the best out of Fermanagh at Enniskillen - despite the fact they had completed their scoring in the 39th minute with a Dessie Barry point, they almost snatched a goal five minutes later. Corner forward Padraig Davis screwed a shot across the face of the goals and the chance was gone. With it went the hopes of a Longford revival and as Fermanagh piled on the scores, Ciaran Keogh, Longford's centre half forward, was sent to the line in the 56th minute for a second bookable offence.

The Fermanagh defence were in top form in the opening half following a flurry of Longford scores that gave them a short-lived lead. At half-time Fermanagh led by 0-6 to 03 and extended their lead early in the second half, one point from Raymond Gallagher a tremendous effort way out on the right. The Longford revival left the scores at 0-8 to 0-6 after nine minutes of the half, but they failed to add to it.

Fermanagh: R Gallagher; S Breen, P McGuinness, M Lilly; R Curran, J Gilheaney, K Gallagher; P Brewster, C Courtney; D McGrath (0- 1), T Brewster (0-5), C McManus (0-1); Raymond Gallagher (0-2), L McBarron, S King (0-6). Subs: R Johnston for Courtney; D McNulty for McGrath.

Longford: JJ Reilly; D McCabe, D Ledwith, B Burke; E Ledwith, C Comefrey, R Forbes; E Barden (0-2), A Keogh; T Drake, C Keogh, D Farrell; D Barry (0-2), N Sheridan (0-1), P Davis (0-1). Sub: S Carroll for McCabe.

Offaly Vocational Schools kept the All-Ireland inter-county B hurling championship in the midlands when they defeated Wexford 4-7 to 0-10 at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, on Saturday. Wexford thus lost their second successive final, having been beaten by Laois last year.

Scorers: Offaly - D Tanner 2-5, M Leonard 1-2, B Temple 1-0. Wexford - R Freeman 0-5, D Shiel, MJ Furlong, S Larkin, A O'Leary, D Mythen 0-1 each.