Fermanagh 3-15 Laois 3-9
Impressive Fermanagh picked up two precious points in a high scoring affair at Brewster Park.
The Erne side were dominant throughout and could have won by much more, had they not gifted a sluggish Laois two goals in each half.
Veteran Seán Quigley lead the line for the winners who had goals from the lively Ciarán Corrigan, Quigley and man of the match Darragh McGurn with Laois replying from Evan O’Carroll and Mark Barry.
But there was never any doubting the winner’s superiority as they won all the big battles, looked very sharp up front and only had four wides over the hour.
At one stage they led by 3-10 to 2-5-but Laois finished reasonably well but never looked like overhauling the lively Ernesiders.
Laois almost had a goal after just two minutes when the Erne defence was caught out by a long ball over the top which left corner forward Gary Walsh one on one with Fermanagh goalkeeper Cian Newman, only for his shot to be superbly smothered.
The home side then moved into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead thanks to a lively looking Quigley before Laois rocked the home side for a point and a goal in the space of ten seconds.
Laois corner back Alex Mohan opened the scoring with a point and then a bad kick-out from Erne goalkeeper Newman went straight to Laois full-forward Evan O’Carroll who gleefully goaled.
Quigley replied for Fermanagh who were growing into the game inspired by some great old-style fielding from centre-forward Darragh McGurn.
McGurn weaved his way through the Laois defence before finding Ciaran Corrigan who hammered to the net via the upright to put the home side into a 1-4 to 1-3 lead by the 25th minute. They reinforced that dominance with another cracking goal when Ryan Lyons found Quigley on the end line. The veteran then threw a dummy pass before sliding the ball home from an acute angle.
Quigley’s super strike catapulted Fermanagh into a 2-4 to 1-2 lead and they deservedly led by 2-6 to 1-3 thanks to further points from Quigley and Ryan Jones with Kieran Lillis replying for Laois. Fermanagh held a deserved 2-6 to 1-3 half-time lead.
But the home side had that lead quickly cut to three points on the restart when a badly struck Gary Walsh free was fumbled between Erne ‘keeper Newman and centre-back James McMahon. The ball fell to Mark Barry who goaled smartly.
Suddenly there was only a goal in it but two quick points from Ryan Lyons restored a cushion for the home side.
They went even further ahead in the 44th minute when Lyons combined with McGurn, who powered his way through the Laois defence before unleashing a rocket to the net.
And, even though Laois had another goal from Barry, they never looked like repeating their epic comeback of two years ago at the same venue.
A most impressive win for Fermanagh who can now eye promotion after a choppy start but Laois could be in a bit of bother.
FERMANAGH: C Newman; G Cavanagh, J Cassidy, L Flanagan; A Breen, J McMahon, D McCusker; R Jones (0-2), B Horan; C Corrigan (1-4), D McGurn (1-0), J Largo Ellis (0-1); R Lyons (0-2) C Jones (0-1), S Quigley (1-4, three frees)
Subs: D Leonard for D McCusker (20 mins), G Jones (0-1) for C Jones, R O'Callaghan for A Breen (both 69) S McGullion for B Horan (74).
LAOIS: M Byron; J Kelly, T Collins, A Mohan (0-1); S O'Flynn, J O'Loughlin, G Dillon; K Lillis (0-1) J Finn; C Murphy, E Lowry, P O'Sullivan; M Barry (2-1), E O'Carroll (1-2), G Walsh (0-4, four frees).
Subs: A Farrell for J Finn (h-t), B Daly for E Lowry (43 mins), D O'Reilly for G Dillon (45), R Munnelly for K Lillis (50), B Byrne for J Kelly (58).
Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).
