Ulster U20 FC Round Two

Fermanagh 2-11
Antrim 2-7

By Michael McMullan

IT was victory at the second attempt for Fermanagh with a controlled second half performance to see off Antrim in Wednesday night in Tempo.

They pushed Donegal all the way last week before being pipped in stoppage time.

A Daire Chapman goal on Wednesday night was the score that broke the Saffrons, opening a seven-point lead in the closing stages.

A late Niall Hynds goal was a mere consolation for Antrim who went 23 second half minutes without a score.

Senior panellist Mattie McDermott hit an early Fermanagh score before Antrim struck for the game’s first goal, an excellent finish by Corey Walsh after a neat move.

Aaron Mackle replied with an Antrim point before Fermanagh got a grip of the game, led by McDermott.

He finished a sweet goal for a 1-3 to 1-1 lead after 12 minutes. The origin was a quick move from behind midfield and when the ball ended up with McDermott, he finished nearly to the top corner. Perfection.

He curled over a point as the home side pushed into a 1-7 to 1-1 lead.

Antrim hit back and could’ve added a second goal only for a smart save from goalkeeper Patrick O’Sullivan.

JJ Higgins kicked two points as Antrim took the margin back to two points at the break, 1-7 to 1-5.

It was Antrim’s directness that caused Fermanagh problems. They regrouped at the break and were more assured in possession with inside forward Michael Burns beginning to pull the strings.

Burns and McDermott hit Fermanagh scores but the game failed to produce a score in the next 10 minutes.

McDermott and Burns repeated then dose as the Erne County went 1-11 to 1-5 ahead.

Ryan McKeever hit a first second half point for Antrim with seven minutes to go, with fellow sub Daire Higgins quickly adding another.

It was back to a four-point game before the final Fermanagh hammer blow.

When the clutch score came it was direct football at its best. A diagonal ball from Burns found McDermott who pulled a save from goalkeeper Nagle before Chapman stabbed home.

Hynds’ goal wasn’t enough and Fermanagh were on their way to victory.

Both teams are away in the next round. Derry welcome Fermanagh to Find Insurance Celtic Park with Ballyshannon hosting Donegal and Antrim.

Scorers

Fermanagh: M McDermott 1-4 (1f), D Chapman 1-1, M Burns 0-2, O Swift, D Treacy, N Beattie (f) and C Mulligan 0-1 each

Antrim: JJ Higgins 0-3 (1f), C Walsh, N Hynds 1-0 each, R McKeever, I Robinson, A Mackle and D Higgins 0-1 each

Fermanagh: P O’Sullivan; R Kennedy, E Magee, M Maguire; C Casey, O Swift, R Bogue; C Donohoe, C Mulligan; D Treacy, D Chapman, R Smyth; N Beattie, M McDermott, M Burns
Subs: R Hannigan for Bogue (40), K Prior for Treacey (59), C McGoldrick for Maguire (61), E Monaghan for McDermott (63)

Antrim: S Nagle; J McAuley, H Connon, C Hale; E Walsh, L McLernon, F Jemfrey; N Hynds, S Ferris; A Mackle, C O’Connell, I Robinson; J O’Neill, JJ Higgins, C Walsh
Subs: P Murray for J O’Neill (28), J O’Neill for Jemfrey (38), D Higgins for O’Connell (44), R McKeever for Ferris (47)

Referee: M Turley (Down)