Fermanagh reach Tailteann Cup semis for first time

Impressive Fermanagh reached the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup for the first time after a narrow but deserved victory over Sligo in Brewster Park, with losing manager Tony McEntee subsequently standing down after five years in charge.

The home side had a distinct physical edge which they used to their advantage and their forwards were much more accurate than their Sligo counterparts, who hit six second-half wides from scorable positions.

It looked good for Sligo when a Niall Murphy goal and a point eased them into a 1-05 to 0-04 lead after 17 minutes.

But resilient Fermanagh took over, spurred by a well-struck two-pointer from marksman Garvan Jones.

The home side led by 0-14 to 1-06 at the break.

And, even though Sligo pegged it back to point 10 minutes into the second half, the home side kicked ahead and held off a late Sligo surge for a goal.

Shane McGullion and Shane Deignan swapped early points which signalled a ding-dong first half.

Cian Lally and Garvan Jones also exchanged points before Ryan Lyons and a magical effort from Conor Love opened up a two- point lead by the seventh minute.

The impressive Deignan narrowed the gap and Niall Murphy levelled before Sligo struck the net after 17 minutes.

A Cian Lally effort was half blocked and the ball fell at the feet of Murphy who ushered the ball over the lien and a swiftly following free put Sligo into a 1-05 to 0-04 lead.

But, with Fermanagh gaining dominance around midfield, the Yeats County could only manage two more points in 18 minutes.

Garvan Jones responded with a two- pointer free for the home side which was answered by a Muphy free.

Ryan Lyons then hit the point of the half while holding off three Sligo players to begin a strong Erne revival.

Aidan Devaney delayed too long with the Sligo kickout and it was punished by a close in free from Jones as the lively Love made it all square in the 22nd minute.

It was all Fermanagh in the run up to the break and they should also have goaled just before the break.

Jones, from a free, Ronan McCaffrey and a fine effort on the run put the home side into a 0-12 to 1-06 lead.

Darragh McGurn pointed and the home side had a great chance of a goal in the 32nd minute when a lightning move ended with Joe McDade's palmed effort coming back in play and Ryan Lyons shot saved at point blank range.

McCaffrey ended the half with a fine two pointer as they led by 0-14 to 1-06 at the break

The outstanding Murphy got the first point of the second half, and this was followed by a fine two-pointer from David Quinn.

Fermanagh looked rattled but a fine point from Josh Largo Ellis restored their momentum.

Towering midfielder Joe McDade was also on target and further points from Fionan O’Brien and Declan McCusker made it 0-18 to 1-11.

Sligo mounted a late rally but snatched at their shots and hit a few bad wides.

Murphy and O’Brien traded points and McCusker was on target, and Pat Spillane had a final two-pointer but it was not enough.

A deserved win for Fermanagh who now look forward to another outing in Croke Park next week.

Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Luke Flanagan, Lee Cullen, Oisin Smyth; Shane McGullion (0-01) Declan McCusker (0-01) Fionan O’Brien (0-02, 1f) Joe McDade (0-02), Darragh McGurn (0-02); Jonny Cassidy, Ryan Lyons (0-02), Ronan McCaffrey (0-03, 1tp); Josh Largo Ellis (0-02), Garvan Jones (0-04, 1tp)) Conor Love (0-02)

Subs: Sean Cassidy for Garvan Jones (55), Conor McGee for Declan McCusker (54), Che Cullen for Joe McDade and Aogan Kelm for Ryan Lyons (71)

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Brian Cox; Mikey Gordon, Jack Lavin, Luke Towey; Canice Mulligan, Patrick O’Connor (0-03, 1tp); Alan Reilly, David Quinn (0-02, 1 tp) Cian Lally (0-01); Alan McLoughlin, Niall Murphy (1-06, 1f) Shane Deignan (0-02).

Subs: Ross Doherty for Shane Deignan (ht), Pat Spillane (0-2tp) for David Quinn (52), Dylan Walsh for Mikey Gordon and Eoghan Smith for Alan Reilly (61), Paul McNamara for Jack Lavin (62)

Watch an All-Ireland Football Championship double-header, Monaghan v Down and Donegal v Mayo, on Sunday from 1.30pm. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm.

Click here to read article