Saffrons victorious in league opener

Allianz Football League – Division 3

Antrim 1-14 Fermanagh 0-8

Saturday 29 January

By Brendan McTaggart

Antrim made a winning return to Division Three with a comprehensive win over Fermanagh at Brewster Park on Saturday evening. It was an efficient performance from Enda McGinley’s men who weathered an early storm from the home side at the beginning of the second half but Kevin Small’s goal steadied the ship and they pushed on to a well deserved nine point victory.

Antrim’s efficiency in attack during the first half ensured they held a three point lead at the interval. They held the Erne-men scoreless for 27 minutes and ran into a four point lead with six different scorers. Defensively however, on three occasions in the first half Fermanagh carved them open with a stray pass and the width of the post saving the Saffrons.

*Michael McCann who was superb for Antrim in their win over Fermanagh at Brewster Park.*

After the interval the Saffrons began well with Ryan Murray and Odhran Eastwood opening a five point lead but Fermanagh hit back. A trio of unanswered scores that included a brace of Quigley points (mark and free) either side of a Ciaran Corrigan white flag. A counter attack from Tomas McCann and Eastwood resulting in McCann’s second point of the half briefly halted the Fermanagh recovery but scores from Ryan Lyons and substitute Gary McKenna left the minimum between the sides and all the momentum with the home side. Incredibly, that was Fermanagh’s last score of the game as Antrim took complete control.

The game changed with the only goal of the match in the 58^th minute. Jamie Gribbin combining with Michael McCann before passing to Small. The Creggan man’s initial effort was well saved by Fermanagh ‘keeper Sean McNally but Small collected the rebound and showed composure to put daylight between the sides again.

*Kevin Small celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game.*

Five further unanswered scores from Gribbin, Tomas McCann, Ruairi McCann, substitute Seamus McGarry and Dermot McAleese to add further gloss to the score line for the Saffrons while Conor Murray brought the best out of Fermanagh ‘keeper McNally. Fermanagh were reduced to 14 when Brandon Horan was black carded for a cynical foul on Tomas McCann but it had little bearing on the outcome as the Saffrons looked worthy winners by that stage.

Nine different scorers on the opening night of the league with no wides in the second half. An impressive performance with high intensity and disciplined tackling. Reducing Fermanagh to just four points from play over the 70 plus minutes and four substitutes used with great effect. It’s the perfect start to the campaign for McGinley’s men as they look forward to welcoming Limerick to Corrigan Park next Saturday afternoon.

*Bloodied but unbowed! Jamie Gribbin receives attention after receiving a bang on the face, but the young Cargin man had already done the damage to the Fermanagh cause*

TEAMS

Antrim: Oisin Kerr; Eoghan McCabe, Ricky Johnston, James McAuley; Peter Healy, James Laverty, Dermot McAleese; Kevin Small, Michael McCann; Ryan Murray, Jamie Gribbin, Patrick McBride; Tomas McCann, Ruairi McCann, Odhran Eastwood

Subs: Paddy McAleer for P McBride (33); Conor Murray for O Eastwood (51); Patrick McCormick for R Murray (55); Seamus McGarry for R McCann (67); Patrick Shivers for T McCann (inj)

Scorers: K Small 1-1; T McCann 0-3 (1 mark); O Eastwood 0-2; R McCann 0-2 (1f); J Gribbin 0-2 (1 mark); R Murray 0-1 (1f); M McCann 0-1; D McAleese 0-1; S McGarry 0-1

Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Jonny Cassidy; Garret Cavanagh, Luke Flannagan; Aiden Breen, James McMahon, Declan McCusker; Ryan Jones, Joe McDade; Josh Largo Ellis, Brandon Horan, Ryan Lyons; Ciaran Corrigan, Daragh McGurn, Sean Quigley

Subs: Stephen McGullion for J McDade (22); Shane McGullion for A Breen (51); Gary McKenna for R Lyons (51); Tiernan Bogue for L Flannagan (65)

Scorers: S Quigley 0-4 (4fs, 1 mark); D McGurn 0-1; C Corrigan 0-1; R Lyons 0-1; G McKenna 0-1