Fermanagh goal a decisive factor as the Longford hurlers fall to defeat

Fermanagh . . . 1-14   Longford . . . 0-14 

Boosted by a goal from corner-forward Caolan Duffy in the first half which proved to be a decisive factor in the finish, Fermanagh gradually got on top to defeat Longford in the National Hurling League Division 4 clash at the Kinawley GAA grounds on Sunday.

Sean Corrigan was clean through and while his strike was well saved by the Longford keeper Johnny  Maher, the alert Duffy pounced to put the breaking ball into the back of the net in the 21st minute.  

With both counties missing many players from the teams that featured in the Lory Meagher Cup final last year, this was a tight tussle with the midlanders holding a slender 0-10 to 1-6 lead at the break.

Half of those points (4 frees) were fired over by midfielder Reuben Murray with Evan Tully, wing back Diarmaid Caslin, Dan Crossan (2) and Adam Quinn also on target for the visitors.

John Duffy accounted for three of the Fermanagh points (2 frees) in the first half with Sean Corrigan (2) and Conor McShea also getting their names on the scoresheet.

Shooting a total of 14 wides during the course of the contest played at the splendid Kinawley venue,  Fermanagh were the physically stronger side and from the moment they got back on level terms in the 43rd minute the pressure was on Longford who registered a total of 7 wides in the game. 

A goalbound shot from Conor McShea was parried over the bar by newcomer keeper Johnny Maher and four more points followed from Ryan Bogue (2 frees), Caolan Duffy and Conor McShea.

After waiting half an hour to register their first score in the second half from a free converted by chief marksman Reuben Murray in the 65th minute with Adam McShea responding with a point for Fermanagh, Longford staged a determined late comeback. 

Three scores in a row from Murray (free), Gerry Moore and Evan Tully closed the gap to just a solitary point (1-12 to 0-14) but Fermanagh clinched the victory with Caolan Duffy and Cahir McManus shooting over the bar in the lengthy stoppage time which stretched to 8 minutes.  

Longford now face a crucial Round 3 fixture against Leitrim at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday (throw-in 2pm) and need a win to remain in contention for a place in the Division 4 league final.    

FERMANAGH: Chris McKernan; Odhran Johnston, Rory Porteous, Ciaran Duffy; Ben Corrigan, Ronan McGurn, Thomas Duane; Dara Rodgers, Conor McShea (0-3); Adam McShea (0-1), Ryan Bogue (0-2, frees), John Duffy (0-3, 2 frees); Caolan Duffy (1-2), Feargal McKiernan, Sean Corrigan (0-2).

Subs:- Cahir McManus (0-1) for F McKiernan (39 mins); Seamus Cleary for J Duffy (45 mins); Shea Curran for B Corrigan (7th minute of stoppage time).  

LONGFORD: Johnny Maher (Kilmacud Crokes); Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard), Eamon Allen (Kilmacud Crokes), Kealan Cox (Longford Slashers); Dylan Hutchinson (Wolfe Tones, Mostrim), Johnny Casey (Longford Slashers), Diarmaid Caslin (Longford Slashers, 0-1); Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers, 0-7, 6 frees), Dan Crossan (Clonguish Gaels, 0-2); Matthew Flynn (Clonguish Gaels), Evan Tully (Wolfe Tones, 0-2), Niall Hawes (Longford Slashers); Adam Quinn (Wolfe Tones, 0-1), Ronan Courtney (Wolfe Tones, Mostrim, 1-0), Ciaran McNally (Wolfe Tones, Mostrim). 

Subs:- Gerry Moore (Clonguish Gaels, 0-1) for D Hutchinson (30 mins); Micheal Mulcahy (Longford Slashers) for C McNally (30 mins); Killian Courtney (Wolfe Tones, Mostrim) for M Flynn (42 mins); Matthew Hawes (Longford Slashers) for N Hawes (53 mins). 

Referee: Aidan McAleer (Donegal).