Five star Fermanagh book final spot

Lidl NFL Division 4

Fermanagh 5-12 Sligo 3-13

By Deniese O’Flaherty

FERMANAGH booked their place in the Lidl NFL Division 4 final and also secured promotion to Division 3 with victory over a dogged Sligo side in Tarmonbarry.

The Ulster county missed out at this stage of the league last year and were not going to let the opportunity pass them by this year. Once again Eimear Smyth was superb for Fermanagh.

Sligo made a fine start to the game and held a three point lead after six minutes of play. Fermanagh got their first score in the 10th minute through Eimear Smyth. One minute later they raised a green flag when Joanne Doonan’s shot came off the post and across the goal-line.

Smyth got Fermanagh’s second goal in the 16th minute. They were five ahead in the 17th minute when Doonan pointed.

Sligo then had a purple patch. Ellen Kelleher kicked over a free. Sarah Hurley’s effort hit the butt of the post in the 21st minute but three minutes later a shot from Ciara Walsh ended up in the net.

One minute later and Sligo were back in front when a poor clearance fell to Cara King and she made no mistake. It was end to end stuff and Fermanagh’s response was a goal from Doonan. Smyth kicked over a free and then in the 29th minute Cliodhna Martin grabbed the Ernesiders fourth goal.

Sligo’s Nicola Brennan hit over a nice point just before the break to leave the score 4-4 to 2-6 in favour of the Ulster side.

Fermanagh kicked 1-3 without reply in the opening five minutes of the second half. Smyth kicked over two frees, Molly McGloin hit over a lovely point while Sinead Barrett grabbed their fifth goal to extend the lead to 10 points.

Credit to Sligo they battled hard. Leah Duffy, Ciara Walsh and Tara Breheny kicked over points as they tried to cut the deficit. With the influential Smyth in fine form Fermanagh were able to edge further ahead. Two points in a row for the full-forward put seven between the sides with 53 minutes gone on the clock.

Sligo tried to get a goal to bring them back into the game. Duffy hit over a free and then Ciara Walsh’s low drive was deflected out for a 45 in the 58th minute. Sligo got a late consolation goal through Carol Coleman

Scorers

Fermanagh: E Smyth 1-8 (4fs), J Doonan 2-1, C Martin, S Barrett 1-0 each, M McGloin, N McManus, B Smyth 0-1 each.

Sligo: C Walsh 1-1, C King, C Coleman (f) 1-0 each, L Duffy 0-3 (1f), T Breheny, N Brennan, A McDaniel 0-2 each, R Kennedy, E Kelleher (f), L Normanly (f) 0-1 each.

FERMANAGH: A Haren; E Murphy, C Clarke, E Keenan; A O’Brien, C Murphy, C Bogue; C Martin, M McGloin; N McManus, S Barrett, L Maguire; J Doonan, E Smyth, A McCabe.
Subs: S McQuade for E Murphy (34), S McCarville for McManus (46), A McCarney for McGloin (55), B Smyth for McCabe (59), N Boyle for Barrett (60+3).

SLIGO: E Maguire; A Molloy, C Walsh, R Scanlon; T Breheny, C King, H Walsh; T Doddy, S Regan; A McDaniel, E Kelleher, L Normanly; L Duffy, A McDaniel, N Brennan
Subs: J Gregan for H Walsh (15), S Curley for Doddy (43), C Coleman for Brennan (46), R Kennedy for Normanly (49), N McDonagh for Dunne (54).

Referee: Declan Carolan (Armagh)