Allianz National Football League Division Two

MEATH 3-15 FERMANAGH 0-6

By Paul Keane at Pairc Tailteann

Meath remain firmly in the hunt for promotion from Division 2 of the Allianz football league after their biggest win of the campaign so far though out of sorts Fermanagh are staring relegation in the face.

A terrific performance from Meath's full-forward line yielded goals for Bryan McMahon, Sean Tobin and Donal Lenihan who finished with 3-6 between them.

Captain Graham Reilly and James McEntee weighed in with a brace of points each too as Andy McEntee's side racked up a surprisingly easy 18-point win.

Cillian O'Sullivan came on and scored three points and will hope for inclusion from the start against Clare in what is now a crucial Round 7 tie next weekend.

Fermanagh are struggling, though, and defeat has left them in the relegation places ahead of their clash with Derry who are the bottom side, a point below them.

Fermanagh started the day joint second from bottom with just wins over Down and Clare from their previous five games.

They did possess vital momentum though with that five-point win over the Banner County coming in Round 5.

Pete McGrath's side hinted at continuing that form early on with Sean Quigley and Ryan Lyons pointing inside the opening four minutes to put them two clear.

Fermanagh didn't score again until the 26th minute though and Meath hit them for 2-3 in that period to take control of the game.

Lenihan scored their first goal from a 15th minute penalty after a neat move involving Graham Reilly, Tobin and O'Sulllivan ended with a drag back on O'Sullivan. Lenihan fired low and left to put Meath ahead for the first time and they remained there from them on.

Lenihan and Bryan Menton tagged on points before McMahon hit an excellent second Meath goal in the 23rd minute, moving the Royals 2-3 to 0-2 clear.

McMahon came running out to meet a long long ball in from Reilly and spun away from Mickey Jones before advancing clear on goal and rifling a shot past Chris Snow.

Jones was black carded soon after and Fermanagh leaked further scores to James Toher, Reilly and McMahon as Meath hit the interval with a 2-6 to 0-4 advantage.

The second-half panned out upon similar lines with Fermanagh kicking just two points in the entire period while Meath dominated at the other end.

Tobin, O'Sullivan and McMahon added points before their third goal in the 50th minute from Tobin which wrapped up the win.

It was a slightly fortunate strike as Tobin rose up highest to beat the 'keeper after a Reilly point attempt dropped short.

James McEntee came off the bench and fired two points for Meath who has the luxury of coasting over the finish line in front of their home fans.

**Scorers for Meath: **Bryan McMahon 1-3, Sean Tobin 1-2, Donal Lenihan 1-1 (1-0 pen), Cillian O'Sullivan 0-3, Graham Reilly 0-2, James McEntee 0-2, James Toher 0-1 (1f), Bryan Menton 0-1.

**Scorers for Fermanagh: **Sean Quigley 0-2 (2fs), Ryan Lyons 0-1, Kane Connor 0-1, Lee Cullen 0-1, Eddie Courtney 0-1 (1f).

MEATH: Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keogan, Conor McGill, Donnacha Tobin; Padraic Harnan, Brian Power, Shane McEntee; Bryan Menton, James Toher; Alan Forde, Graham Reilly, Eamon Wallace; Bryan McMahon, Sean Tobin, Donal Lenihan.

Subs: Cillian O'Sullivan for Forde (11), Mickey Burke for Harnan (11, black card), James McEntee for Reilly (51), Cian O'Brien for Toher (55), Alan Douglas for Power (62), Joey Wallace for E Wallace (64).

FERMANAGH: Chris Snow; Kane Connor, Che Cullen, Mickey Jones; Conor P Murphy, Barry Mulrone, Aidan Breen; Eoin Donnelly, Lee Cullen; Paul McCusker, Ryan Lyons, Ryan Jones; Eddie Courtney, Sean Quigley, James McMahon.

Subs: Tiarnan Daly for M Jones (29, black card), Declan McCusker for Lyons (46), Paddy Rehill for Murphy (55), Ciaran Corrigan for McCusker (55), Tommy McCaffrey for Courtney (63), Danny Teague for Quigley (66).

REFEREE: Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary).