Allianz Football League Division Three round three: Fermanagh 2-14 Down 3-10
A MIND-BOGGLING match in many ways – but the right result in the end. Down looked like they were about to repeat the smash and grab success they had enjoyed against Antrim only for Fermanagh to deservedly inflict a sucker punch of their own.
Down's starting six forwards managed only a single point from play between them, but the Mournemen still managed to net three goals. A penalty by midfielder Odhran Murdock really got their revival going after trailing by six points at half-time, then corner-back Pierce Laverty drew them level, before wing-back Conor Francis seemed to have won it late on.
Neither of Fermanagh's goals came from forwards who lined out either. Super-sub Sean Quigley finished from close range in the second minute of added time after Down goalkeeper Niall Kane had parried out a shot from Garvan Jones, having denied the latter moments earlier, less than a minute before Francis's goal.
That late drama tended to over-shadow Fermanagh's first goal, superbly crafted by Ultan Kelm and finished by young Conor McGee on his home turf of Ederney, but Erne County boss Kieran Donnelly made sure to mention it afterwards:
"Ultan's ball to Conor McGee was excellent – I think everyone expected him to turn in and shoot, that was the beauty of it. Their defender stepped off Conor and that allowed him to get his shot away. It was the pass of the game."
Donnelly deserves praise himself for his selection and substitution. Starting without Quigley was a bold move, but he came on to ultimately decisive effect, while McGee was also brought off the bench, as were Ciaran Corrigan, Garvan Jones, and Fionan O'Brien, all of whom lifted the hosts when they needed a boost.
2023 Allianz Football League: Fixtures, results and tables
Down were improved by their personnel changes too, but they very much needed to be, as Fermanagh dominated before the break, scoring six of the last seven points before half-time to lead by 0-10 to 0-4.
Darragh McGurn was catching kick-outs for fun, from both sides, fielding one for a mark which he instantly turned and booted over the bar. In the second half, he caught another and ran through to point again.
Down boss Conor Laverty sent on Anthony Morgan on at midfield for Niall Donnelly, a second change inside the opening half hour. The Kilcoo man was soon tangling with Ryan Jones – although, with the Down man's jersey being dragged almost off him, the officials contrived to yellow card full-back Ryan McEvoy instead. Right club, wrong man.
Just before that incident McEvoy got hurt inadvertently when his Fermanagh counterpart Lee Cullen slid in for ball and collided with him. McEvoy's bad luck then continued when he ran into a fierce shoulder from Cian McManus, but he bravely stayed on.
Down made two more changes at half-time, and one of those, Andrew Gilmore, forced a turning of the tide. Fermanagh felt their roving goalkeeper Sean McNally was pushed in the back before losing possession to the St John's man, but Gilmore was allowed to supply fellow sub Shay Millar, who in turn fed Pat Havern. His shot was blocked, but he was fouled in the follow-up scramble, and Murdock converted confidently from the spot.
Although Johnny Cassidy prevented Liam Kerr scoring from play, no one could contain the Burren man's scorching pace, and he led repeated attacks as Down's hand-passing clicked rather than slipped as had happened in the first period.
Ceilum Doherty, Millar, and Gilmore combined rapidly to allow Pierce Laverty to palm to an almost unguarded net.
That made it 0-13 to 2-7 and when Down went in front for the first time, from a Gilmore free, they appeared much more likely winners.
However, Kelm, who had kicked two super scores, then turned provider with a clever, precise assist, and McGee put the hosts back in front, and the highly impressive McGurn doubled their advantage with his second catch and kick score.
Down hit right back, Morgan having a shot somehow turned behind, with the '45' sent over by goalkeeper Niall Kane, who then kept out a cross-shot from Garvan Jones at the other end, when perhaps the Fermanagh man should have passed across.
That seemed to be a massive turning point, especially when Down sub Conor McCrickard shot against the cross-bar and Bredagh's Francis gathered and goaled.
Kerr then burned off everyone before being pushed, but Millar pointed to put Down two up.
A dangerous lead…
Fermanagh kept their heads, kept their cool, and earned their reward. Garvan Jones shot for a point but when Kane parried out the dropping ball, there was Quigley to fist it in.
While Down declined to speak any media afterwards, a delighted Donnelly hailed his team's composure:
"We knew they would get that spell, it was up to us to be compact and I was just glad how we managed that game in the last five minutes, it showed a bit of maturity from us too."
Fermanagh: S McNally; L Flanagan, L Cullen, C McManus; R McCaffrey (0-1), J Cassidy, Shane McGullion (0-1); R Jones, B Horan (0-1); J Largo Ellis, R Lyons (0-3, 0-1 free, 0-1 mark), U Kelm (0-2); C McShea (0-1), D McGurn (0-4, 0-1 mark, 0-1 free), A Breen (0-1).
Substitutes: C McGee (1-0) for Breen (46); C Corrigan for McShea (58); G Jones for Lyons (62); S Quigley (1-0) for Horan (62); F O'Brien for McGullion (68).
Blood sub: O Smyth for Cullen (32-half-time).
Down: N Kane (0-1 '45'); R Magill, R McEvoy (0-1 free), P Laverty (1-0); C Francis (1-0), N McParland, S Annett (0-1); N Donnelly, O Murdock (1-0 penalty); R McCormack, O McCabe, L Kerr (0-1 free); C Doherty, P Havern (0-4, 0-3 frees), C Poland.
Substitutes: S Millar (0-1) for McCabe (15); A Morgan for Donnelly (27); C McCrickard for McParland (h-t); A Gilmore (0-1 free) for Poland (h-t); P Branagan for Annett (56).
Blood sub: M Rooney for McCormack (59-end).
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan).
