Armagh 0-11 Fermanagh 0-7 IN A LOW-KEY affair at Brewster Park, Enniskillen, watched by a crowd of 6,503, Armagh did just enough to advance to the next round. The game was marred by a lack of goals – although both goalkeepers can take some credit for that – and fussy refereeing that saw 10 players yellow carded, five from each side.
In the first move of the match, Armagh’s Jamie Clarke, clean through on the goalkeeper, put the ball wide. Then, in the 13th minute, Fermanagh’s Ryan Carson had his shot brilliantly blocked by Paul Hearty, only to regain possession and pull his shot across the goal. However, after going three points down, Fermanagh did well to get back on track by half-time, Séamus Quigley hitting two massive frees and a point from play to leave two points in it, 0-6 to 0-4.
For the second half, the Armagh mentors moved Malachy Mackin out from his midfield slot to the half-forwards, and it proved to be the match-winning move.
With one of his first touches, he took a fisted pass from Steven McDonnell and bore in on goal, only to be foot tackled and the penalty given. McDonnell’s spot kick was well struck but expertly palmed away by Ronan Gallagher.
The outstanding Ryan McCluskey was the creator of the first score of the half, a point by Tommy McElroy for Fermanagh before Clarke finally got past two defenders for an Armagh reply (0-7 to 0-5). With Vernon on song at midfield, Mackin found a new lease of life and, as ever, McDonnell hardly fluffed his lines.
One terrific crossfield ball found Vernon for his second score.
Fermanagh sent on Martin McGrath in the last throw of the dice. Their situation was helped no end by some woeful Armagh finishing but, superb defending, meant they had to wait until seven minutes from time for another Quigley score from a free.
Now two points adrift, Fermanagh were hit by yet another McDonnell pointed free, his sixth. Gareth Swift, sent over the insurance score after a five-man move.
ARMAGH:P Hearty; A Mallon, B Donaghy, V Martin; P Duffy, C McKeever, K Dyas; C Vernon (0-2), M Mackin; J Feeney, A Kernan, F Hanratty; G Swift (0-1), S McDonnell (0-6, three frees), J Clarke (0-2). Subs:K Toner for Hanratty, F Moriarity for Dyas (both half-time), Brian Mallon for Feeney (64 mins).
FERMANAGH:Ronan Gallagher; N Bogue, M O'Brien, B Mulrone; D Ward, R McCluskey, T McElroy (0-1); J Sherry, R Jones; D Keenan, R Carson, B Cox (0-1); P Ward, S Quigley (0-5, four frees), C Flaherty. Subs:C O'Brien for P Ward (43 mins), N McGovern for Mulrone (46 mins); Rory Gallagher for Flaherty (52 mins); M McGrath for Jones (57 mins).
Referee:D Fahy (Longford).
