Derry ratings:
Odhran Lynch: Scored Derry's third point, in acres of space, and provided the pass to set Cassidy on his way for his goal. Claimed some high balls but couldn't prevent two Fermanagh goals inside four minutes. 7
Chrissy McKaigue: Burned for pace early on by Ultan Kelm, and conceded a free with a push, but did OK on UK overall. His man kicked two points but also two wides as frustration got the better of him. 7
Eoin McEvoy: Seemed to be playing in attack at first, even after fisting the opening score, but went on to do a great containment job on Darragh McGurn despite the Belnaleck man's persistent efforts. Che Cullen was too strong for him for the second Fermanagh goal though. 7.5
Conor McCluskey: Did his defensive duties at first but increasingly his searing pace augmented the attack – got a point of his own and played a part in several others. 8
Conor Doherty: Kicked a wide and had another poor shot but effective in restricting Fermanagh going forward, combative and alert throughout. 6.5
Padraig McGrogan: Had a free role early on and exploited that, scoring the second point and getting into another dangerous position only to slip. Settled into sweeper and used the ball well. Got forward impressively again in closing stages. 7
Padraig Cassidy: A steady first half, grew into game and took two scores midway through the second period. A versatile operator in the middle third. 7
Conor Glass: The captain didn't look fully fit after being forced off in Division Two final, but still took a simple score and made an important interception in defence before being taken off early in second half. 6.5
Brendan Rogers: Set the tone with a burst through to set up the opening score, and also assisted last score of first half, before kicking the first of the second. 7.5
Niall Toner: The Lavey man put in plenty of effort against Ronan McCaffrey and was rewarded by getting an easy point. Never stopping working. 7
Gareth McKinless: Deployed in an unusual attacking role but looked very lively initially. Dropped deeper as the game went on though and got the better of Ryan Lyons. 6.5
Paul Cassidy: Another impressive all-round display. Scored 1-2, including a lovely left-footed point and an opportunistic finish for his goal after pirouetting away from two opponents. Also covered back effectively in defence, before curling a beautiful point with his right boot. 8
Ethan Doherty: A contender for the 'man of the match' accolade, as an irrepressible creative force. Supplied McGuigan for the first goal, soon added a point himself, and dominated the final third with several assists. 8.5
Shane McGuigan (STAR MAN): Took a while to get going but began his scoring with a bang, spinning before lashing in the opening goal, then won and converted a free and added two points before half-time – one of which might have been another goal. Coolly converted the penalty kick and finished with a tally of 2-5, fittingly concluding the scoring in added time. 9
Niall Loughlin: Another industrious Niall in the Derry attack, one blocked shot led to Rogers's point, and his link play kept the attack moving. 6.5
Substitutes:
Benny Heron: Brought on for Glass, made a rapid impact by drawing the foul for the penalty, but wasted a great goal chance in injury time. 6.5
Paul McNeill: On for McEvoy, slotted solidly into the defence. 6
Ben McCarron: Saw little ball in just over 10 minutes but did take a catch tracking back into defence. 6
Lachlan Murray: Not on long enough to be rated.
Declan Cassidy: Not on long enough to be rated.
