Fermanagh withstand brave Longford comeback to lift the Lory Meagher Cup

Fermanagh . . . 3-22    Longford . . . 2-20

While Longford failed in their bid to capture the Lory Meagher Cup for the first time since 2014 after falling at the final hurdle against Fermanagh at Croke Park on Sunday last, the committed players deserve a lot of credit for staging a brave comeback in a highly entertaining game.
They looked dead and buried when Fermanagh full-forward Brian Teehan scored a cracking goal to leave his side in a commanding ten points lead (3-19 to 1-15) with 56 minutes gone on the clock but the midlanders showed a lot of spirit to gradually close the gap during the tense and exciting remainder of the Tier 5 Senior Championship title decider.
Joe Rabbitt planted a well struck shot into the roof of the net in the 60th minute and the Ulster county then had a very lucky escape when Micheal Mulcahy almost snatched a third goal in the 63rd minute but he was denied by a crucial point-blank save produced by the opposing keeper Chris McKernan.Fermanagh were living dangerously in a frantic bid to protect their lead and three points in a row from frees converted by Longford’s chief marksman Cian Darcy left just a goal separating the sides (3-20 to 2-20) with normal time almost up.Keeping their composure, the experienced Fermanagh side finished the stronger in stoppage time with a point apiece from Luca McCusker (free) and substitute John Paul McGarry and were worthy winners of this fine advertisement for the weaker hurling counties who have a lot to offer despite what the powers that be in Croke Park think.
It would have been a truly remarkable recovery had Longford managed to salvage the situation but it was not to be for the captain Johnny Casey and his team who had battled so hard to reach the final
After playing catch up from the moment Teehan fired home the first Fermanagh goal midway through the first half and who ended up trailing by 1-14 to 0-9 at the break, the gallant losers were dealt a significant blow when they conceded a second goal in the opening minute of the second half.
Longford keeper Pat Burke appeared to be fouled in his attempt to clear the danger under considerable pressure from Teehan and the ball broke kindly into the path of Danann McKeogh who found the back of the net from right in front of the posts.
While Longford were thrown a lifeline with a well-taken goal from David Buckley in the 48th minute with the same player going so close to finding the net earlier in the second half, clinical Fermanagh were always able to step up another gear on their way to lifting the Lory Meagher Cup despite a black card for full-back Rory Porteous in the 68th minute.
The lethal Teehan, who ended up with 2-2 to his credit, landed a point for Fermanagh in the first minute of the match played in perfect conditions on a fine day at GAA headquarters but Longford replied immediately with an excellent strike from wing back Evan Tully.
Back came the Northerners with a brace of scores from defender Aidan Flanagan and Luca McCusker before Teehan had a goal disallowed (a strange decision) after a shot from Sean Corrigan came back off the crossbar.
Fermanagh stretched their lead to 0-7 to 0-3 with Joe Rabbitt and Cian Darcy (his only score from play) on target for Longford who added another six points to their tally in the first half through Cathal Mullane, Paddy Lynam, David Buckley and Darcy (three frees).
Apart from the crucial goal from Teehan in the 17th minute, Fermanagh produced a decisive strong finish to the first half with five points in quick succession from Sean Corrigan (2), John Duffy, McKeogh and Caolan Duffy as Longford were left to rue a squandered goal chance that fell to Reuben Murray in the 33rd minute.
Eight points adrift at the break, they fell further behind when Fermanagh were gifted a second goal immediately on the changeover and the boys in blue were now facing a real uphill battle.
Three points in a row from Cian Darcy (2) and Cathal Mullane eased the pain somewhat but Fermanagh were in no mood to let victory slip from their grasp as they clocked up another eight points along with the spectacular goal from Teehan who connected with a cross from substitute Jimmy Tormey.

Keeping the scoreboard ticking over was a key factor in the well deserved Fermanagh triumph with all six starting forwards in a stronger attack getting their names on the scoresheet but Longford battled it out to the bitter end in registering another 2-8 with seven of the points coming from Cian Darcy frees.
Defender Evan Tully was on target again but Fermanagh were the superior side, clearly reflected in the fact that they could afford the luxury of shooting a total of 9 wides in the second half.

FERMANAGH: Chris McKernan; Sean McKendry, Rory Porteous, Ciaran Duffy (0-1); Aidan Flanagan (0-1), Ryan Bogue, Odhran Johnston; Dylan Bannon, Caolan Duffy (0-1); Luca McCusker (0-4, 1 free), Tom Keenan (0-2), John Duffy (0-2); Sean Corrigan (0-4), Brian Teehan (2-3), Danann McKeogh (1-3, 1 free).

Subs:- Jimmy Tormey for J Duffy (46 mins); Ronan McGurn for S McKendry (51 mins); John Paul McGarry (0-1) for D McKeogh (62 mins); Ben Corrigan for A Flanagan (64 mins); Daniel Teague for T Keenan (stoppage time). 

 LONGFORD: Pat Burke (Ringtown, Westmeath); Johnny Casey (Longford Slashers, captain), Eamon Allen (Kilmacud Crokes), Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard); Adam Quinn (Wolfe Tones Mostrim), Karl Murray (Longford Slashers), Evan Tully (Wolfe Tones, 0-2); Paddy Lynam (Oliver Plunketts Mullingar, 0-1), Cathal Mullane (Wolfe Tones, 0-2); Oisin Gately (Clonguish Gaels), David Buckley (Longford Slashers, 1-1), Joe Rabbitt (Castlepollard, 1-1); Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers), Cian Darcy (Kilruane McDonagh’s, Co Tipperary, 0-13, 12  frees), Ronan Courtney (Mostrim). 

Subs:- Charles Flynn (Castlepollard) for O Gately (48 mins); Micheal Mulcahy (Longford Slashers) for R Murray (51 mins); Diarmaid Caslin (Longford Slashers) for D Buckley (58 mins); Dan Crossan (Clonguish Gaels) for R Courtney (69 mins).

Referee: James Judge (Mayo).