Quinn Building Products Fermanagh SFC semi-final: Roslea 1-6 Derrygonnelly 0-9
ROSLEA scored a goal and a point in the final five minutes of play to earn a draw in this Fermanagh Senior Football Championship semi-final at Brewster Park in Enniskillen.
Conor Quigley got on the end of a flowing move involving Brendan Sherlock and James McMahon to finish expertly off the post. Brother Seamus was fouled for a free minutes later with the youngest Quigley, Sean, popping over the bar from the resultant dead ball.
Up to that point, Derrygonnelly had been the better team, with the ageless Kevin Cassidy coming off the bench in the second half to kick a point that put them 0-9 to 0-5 up.
Before that, Ryan Jones, Garvan McGinley and Declan Cassidy had all hit points for the Harps to open up a comfortable lead.
Roslea had started the game much the brighter and were 0-3 to 0-1 up after 11 minutes with Seamus, Sean and Conor Quigley on target. The Harps hit back with Garvan Jones and Declan Cassidy productive in front of the posts and they led by two at the break.
But after that whirlwind Roslea finish the teams must do it all again next weekend.
Quinn Building Products Fermanagh SFC semi-final: Tempo v Devenish (Sunday, Brewster Park, 2.30pm)
DEVENISH go into this second Fermanagh semi-final as slight favourites, based primarily on the fact that they have been operating in Division One this season and have already qualified for a league semi-final.
Tempo, who won the league and championship double in 2012, have topped Division Two and brought that form into the championship, where they saw off Division One side Kinawley in the quarter-final after a replay.
The Maguires have a well-balanced side with a solid well-organised defence, a powerful midfield – where Aidan Breen is the fulcrum of their efforts – and an attack that contains a healthy mix of youth and experience.
For Devenish, a place in their first final since 1998 would be a welcome boost in their centenary year. You have to go back to 1996 for their last title.
The Garrison men also needed a replay to reach the last four with Teemore proving stubborn resistance. But, like Tempo, their replay win was impressive and they have a side brimming with talent.
Barry Mulrone is the name that immediately springs from their teamsheet and the hard-working Fermanagh player has been deployed at full-forward, although at times he has drifted further outfield.
He will need policing by the Tempo rearguard, with the experienced Conor Foy likely to be given the job of curbing his influence. Foy did an excellent job on Ruairi Corrigan in Tempo’s two games with Kinawley.
Devenish have other attacking threats with Chris O’Brien in sparkling form of late. The speedy inside forward plundered both their goals in their quarter-final replay and will be looking to continue where he left off.
The middle of the field will see Terry O’Flanagan and Jason Love go up against Tempo’s Neil Rodgers and Aidan Breen, and the pair who assert the most influence in this area will go a long way to setting their side up for victory.
Devenish will also have to be mindful of a very hard-working Tempo attack. Ryan Ingram and Daryl Keenan have been very impressive in the half-forward line, with 18 year old Lorcan McStravick an excellent option inside.
Former Fermanagh player Marty O’Brien will look to ensure the Devenish defensive unit is well-marshalled but there is no doubt that they will have their hands full.
