Oisin Jackson wheels away in triumph after scoring Fermanagh’s second goal while Antrim keeper, Luke Mulholland looks back in despair
Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship Round 1
Antrim 0-08-2-08 Fermanagh
By Kevin Herron at Corrigan Park
Antrim’s minor footballers suffered a 2-08-0-08 defeat to Fermanagh in round one of the Ulster Minor Football Championship at Corrigan Park this evening.
The Erne men’s timing was impeccable as goals from Achlin O’Cathain and Oisin Jackson – either side of the break was enough to see Fermanagh run out winners.
Antrim ended the game with thirteen players as Danann McKeogh and Connor Morris were both given second yellow cards in the final thirty minutes.
The hosts were looking for victory in the opening round in Ulster for the fourth successive season – having twice beaten Fermanagh and then Donegal in the opening round of Ulster in the last three years.
But it was Fermanagh who struck first on the Whiterock Road after Darragh McBrien’s free dropped short the visitors recycled the ball and Joe McDade’s layoff picked out full-forward Achlin O’Cathain who looked like he had overran the ball but rifled low past Luke Mulholland to give Fermanagh a 0-00-1-00 lead after eight minutes.
Antrim almost responded immediately as Connor Morris slipped in corner-forward Ciaran O’Neill; the Tír Na nÓg youngster rounded Sean McNally in the Fermanagh goal but was watched on in frustration as full-back Josh Horan made a vital goal line block.
Darragh McBrien hit Fermanagh’s second score from a free after Ethan Mervyn upended the half-forward and two minutes later McBrien popped over a second to give his side a 0-00-1-02 lead after 12 minutes of play.
It took the hosts 17 minutes to raise the white flag – Brian Rodgers forced Gareth McGovern into picking the ball off the ground and Ciaran O’Neill converted from the resulting free.
Callum Fitzpatrick landed a superb score with ten minutes of the half remaining and Antrim appeared to be back in business.
In between Antrim’s back to back scores Conor Love cut in at the by-line and headed for goal only for the glove of Luke Mulholland to divert the ball away from imminent danger.
Oisin Jackson then combined with corner-forward Love on a second occasion after 21 minutes, but Luke Mulholland was once again on hand to deny the Inis Ceathlinn native.
Antrim were in the ascendancy with points from Brian Rodgers and Oisin Doherty closing the gap to the minimum – then on the stroke of half-time half-forward Callum Fitzpatrick drove forward and landed a magnificent score to level at 0-05-1-02 and bring his tally for the evening to two-points.
But before the half-time whistle corner-forward Danann McKeogh hauled down Conor Love in front of the posts and was quite fortunate to escape with just a yellow card rather than a black – Love converted the resulting free to edge his side 0-05-1-03 ahead at interval.
Left: Antrim’s Ciaran O’Neill has his goal attempt blocked down by Fermanagh’s Josh Horan. Right: Brian Rodgers, Antrim and Josh Horan Fermanagh battle for possession.
Fermanagh claimed the opening score of the second period and just like the opening half the score came in the form of a goal – this time within fourteen seconds of restart, Darragh O’Brien offloaded the ball to Oisin Jackson who rounded Luke Mulholland rifled home his sides second to give Fermanagh a dream start to the half and put them 0-05-2-03 in front.
Conor Love then extended his sides lead with a successfully converted 45’ but Eoin Hynds responded for Antrim with a superb effort that curled over the bar.
Danann McKeogh then drove forward and landed a point on home turf but the St John’s native would see his evening end prematurely as referee Martin Conroy flashed a second yellow card for a second foul on Conor Love with 46 minutes on the clock.
Fermanagh made use of their numerical advantage with Achlin O’Cathain landing a superb point to give his side a 0-07-2-05 lead.
Antrim needed a goal to ignite chances of a fight back and 12 minutes from time they were almost successful – Dominic McAteer slipped in substitute Fergal Henry who was denied one-on-one by Sean McNally in the Fermanagh goal.
Darragh McBrien almost found a third goal for the Erne men on 53 minutes but he has knocked off balance after surging forward and despite Luke Mulholland parrying his low shot, referee Conroy pulled the play back.
Before McBrien struck the resulting free – Conroy’s attention was occupied by one of his officials who spotted Connor Morris upending Ronan McHugh on the halfway line.
Having already received a yellow card for an earlier incident the Naomh Seamas wing-half forward was shown his second yellow of the evening and Antrim were reduced to thirteen men for the final five minutes plus injury-time.
McBrien converted the resulting free after Morris departed and wing-back Gareth McGovern popped the ball over as the Erne men were 0-07-2-07 ahead.
Rian McGovern added Fermanagh’s final score of the evening with four minutes remaining but substitute Fergal Henry replied for the depleted Saffrons who experienced a rare first round defeat in Ulster.
Paddy McLaverty’s side will await the draw for the Round 1 qualifiers and will be back in action on May 5th or the weekend of the 12-13th.
Antrim: L Mulholland, G Downing, E Mervyn, R Murray, D Gough, D McAteer, M Munce, J Summersgill, E Hynds (0-01), O Doherty (0-01), C Fitzpatrick (0-02), C Morris, C O’Neill (0-01f), B Rodgers (0-01), D McKeogh (0-01). Subs: F Henry (0-01) for D Gough (41 mins), S McKay for J Summersgill (50 mins), T Skillen for B Rodgers (59 mins).
Fermanagh: S McNally, L Green, J Horan, G McGovern (0-01), R McGovern (0-01), A McManus, R McHugh, D Hill, J McDade, O Jackson (1-00), S McBrien (0-03, 0-02f), D Burke, C Love (0-02f), A O’Cathain (1-01), F Quinn. Subs: Z Kyle for D Burke (39 mins), A McHugh for O Jackson (46 mins), L McKeown for R McHugh (60 mins).
Referee: Martin Conroy (Tír Eoghain)