Football

Banner bring Fermanagh's unbeaten run to an end

FERMANAGH suffered their first loss in this season's National Football League at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.

Having already gained promotion and a tilt at the Division Three final against Armagh on April 25, the Ernemen faced a hungry Clare, who needed a win to make sure of staying up.

The home side were dominant for long periods, but were still made to sweat at the end when Fermanagh put in a late flourish, reducing a nine-point deficit to just two, scoring a goal and four points in the final five minutes.

The opening 13 minutes passed by without a score, with both sides missing the target with four shots each, but eventually Clare

centre-forward Jamie Malone broke the stalemate when he pointed with his right foot after a good pass by Shane Brennan.

A Podge Collins point followed immediately before Fermanagh opened their account in the 15th with a Sean Quigley goal.

The big full-forward fisted to the net following a long delivery by Conall Jones and, despite protests from Clare defenders that Quigley (above) had pushed full-back Kevin Harnett before getting the vital touch, the goal stood.

Clare continued their dominance for the rest of the half, however, and thanks mainly to the free-taking abilities of captain and midfielder Gary Brennan, they held a 0-8 to 1-3 advantage at the interval.

When play resumed, the Banner boys took the initiative and scored a goal and four points without reply within 11 minutes of the restart.

Pat Burke found the net in the 40th minute when he got on to a Jamie Malone pass and hit a low shot past Chris Snow in the Fermanagh goal.

Add in two Shane McGrath points and a pointed free by Brennan and Clare had amassed a sizeable lead of 1-12 to 1-13.

Quigley landed a free for Fermanagh in the 59th minute to give his side a first score of the half, before Burke put nine between them once more after he fired over.

Fermanagh's attempt to rescue the situation began in the 66th minute when they were awarded a penalty for a foot-block by Malone.

Quigley slotted it home and points from Daniel Kille (two), wing-back Aidan Breen and Darren McQuade had the home following in a nervous mood.

But Clare held on to claim the victory and maintain their Division Three status, much to the relief of manager Colm Collins.

"I'm delighted. It was a game we needed to win and we did. It's great that we stay in Division Three," he said.

Fermanagh boss Pete McGrath was left to reflect on a disappointing end to their League round of fixtures.

"We came down here to finish on a high," he said.

"We knew obviously that Clare would be highly motivated given the fact that they needed to win the game, but nevertheless we won't use that as an excuse.

"You'd have to say, up to the last 10 minutes, our display was disappointing.

MATCH STATS

Clare: J Hayes; C Russell, K Harnett,

M McMahon; S Hickey, G Kelly, D Ryan;

G Brennan (0-5, 0-4 frees), C O'Connor;

S Collins, J Malone (0-1), S McGrath (0-4); S Brennan, P Collins (0-1), P Burke (1-3) Subs: E Coughlan for McGrath (65)

Black card: K Sexton (replaced by

M McMahon, 14)

Yellow cards: G Brennan (68), J Malone (66) Fermanagh: C Snow; M Jones, T Daly,

N Cassidy; A Breen (0-1), R McCluskey,

J McMahon; E Donnelly, C Cullen;

P McCusker, C Jones (0-1), B Mulrone (0-1); E McManus, S Quigley (2-2, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free), C Flaherty Subs: E McHugh for M Jones (h-t), D Kelly for McMahon (h-t), D Kille (0-2) for McManus (49), D McQuade (0-2) for C Jones (52),

R Lyons for Flaherty (61)

Yellow cards: S Quigley (36), E McHugh (58) Referee: M Duffy (Sligo)