Allianz Football League Division Three: Fermanagh 0-15 Longford 0-8
SEAN Quigley kicked seven points in Fermanagh's opening league win over Longford on Saturday in Ederney.
It was the first outing of the season for Roslea's Quigley, along with fellow forwards Darragh McGurn and Sean Cassidy.
The trio hit 0-10 of Fermanagh's 0-15 points between them, and manager Kieran Donnelly was pleased with their performance.
"They had massive roles. They brought that bit of calmness to our play and our front options," said the Fermanagh manager.
Fermanagh dominated the game from start to finish, opening up an 0-11 to 0-06 lead at half-time.
Longford fought back valiantly in the second half, but Donnelly was pleased with how his team withheld the comeback.
"I'm delighted that we played so well," said the Erne boss, "we were finishing our moves, there was always options for the ball carrier, and there was loads of positives."
The first quarter was nip and tuck. UltanKelm and Ryan Jones landed early scores for Fermanagh, before wing half-back Iarla O'Sullivan hit back for Longford with a well taken score off his right boot.
Horan and Jones took control of midfield midway through the half and four successivepoints from Quigley, Darragh McGurn and Sean Cassidy pushed Fermanagh into a comfortable advantage.
Fermanagh had a golden opportunity to seal the win straight after the restart.
In a blistering attack, Erne forward Sean Cassidy cut through the Longford defence but his effort was parried to safety by Longford goalkeeper Paddy Collum.
The Midlanders fought back in the third quarter, whittling down the Fermanagh lead to three with back-to-back points from McGivney (2) and Keelin McGann.
Longford pushed forward in search of a goal, opting to go route one, raining the high ball in on top of the Fermanagh defence. The Erne rearguard stood firm, with full-back Che Cullen instrumental in their strong defensive performance.
With10 minutes remaining, however, the Belnaleck defender had to be withdrawn after he sustained what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury.
Despite the major blow, Fermanagh held firm and they finished with a flourish with Quigley kicking three frees, McGurn pointing from distance and corner-back Cian McManus splitting the posts with a standout score.
Fermanagh travel to Tullamore on Sunday to take on Offaly in the second round. Longford, meanwhile, host Westmeath in a local derby.
Erne manager Donnelly is hoping his side will step up to the challenge of taking on The Faithful County.
"We expect a youthful team, that U20 side, they have options coming off that so it will be tough. Especially down there [in Tullamore], it will be tough, but it;s one that we're looking forward to," he said.
Fermanagh: S McNally; LFlanagan, C Cullen, Cian McManus (0-1); R McCaffrey, J Cassidy (0-1), SMcGullion; R Jones (0-1), B Horan; J Largo-Elis, R Lyons (0-1), S Cassidy (0-1);D McGurn (0-2), U Kelm (0-1), S Quigley (0-7 frees).
Substitutes: T McCaffrey for S Cassidy (50); C Corrigan for R Lyons (50), G Cavanagh for C Cullen (60), A Breen for D McGurn (67), F O'Brien for J Largo-Elis (73).
Longford: P Collum; P Fox, AFarrell, B O'Farrell; R Moffett, G Rogers, I O'Sullivan (0-2); D Gallagher, F Sheridan; M Quinn, D Mimnagh, D Farrell (0-1 free); K McGann (0-1), D McGivney (0-4 frees), D Reynolds.
Substitutes: A Farrell for DFarrell (32), J McGivney for M Quinn (45), Peter Lynn for G Rogers (45), PJMasterson for R Moffett (55), Robbie Smyth for K McGann (63).
Referee: John Gilmartin (Sligo).
