Fermanagh senior football team manager Kieran Donnelly. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Fermanagh 2-10 Kildare 0-12
By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park
Fermanagh followed up last week’s draw against Meath with a four-point victory at Brewster Park over a Kildare side, who are still seeking their opening points in NFL Division Two.
Goals in either half from Declan McCusker and Sean Cassidy were crucial for Kieran Donnelly’s side as they secured a 2-10 to 0-12 win.
The sides traded the opening six points of the contest with Lee Cullen, Che Cullen and Garvan Jones on target for Fermanagh while Mark Donnellan, Jimmy Hyland, and Paddy Woodgate converted frees for the visitors.
Sean Cassidy then lobbed over a point to nudge Fermanagh back ahead and Kildare lost half back Brian Byrne to a black card with Garvan Jones slotting over a free to make it a two point game, 0-5 to 0-3.
And the Ernemen took advantage of the extra man as Ronan McCaffrey and Declan McCusker knocked over points to put four between the sides.
It got even better for Fermanagh in the 29th minute as McCusker’s attempt at a point was spilled into the net by Donnellan to leave six in it at half time.
Kildare came out with intent early in the second half with Woodgate landing a good score from the right before Donnellan drilled over a ’45 and while Ultan Kelm hit a point for Fermanagh, Hyland replied with a point for the Lilywhites.
The sides swapped points over the next spell with Josh Largo Elis and Kelm registering for the home side Kevin O’Callaghan and Mick O’Grady answered for Kildare.
When Ben McCormack then rattled over a fine point for the away side it left three between the sides, 1-10 to 0-10, with 13 minutes to go.
However, Fermanagh then swooped for the second goal to again open up a cushion between the sides.
A flowing move involving the excellent Conor McShea, MCaffrey and Shane McGullion saw the ball fed into Joe McDade and he popped it off to Cassidy who rounded Donnellan before tucking to the net.
Kildare did respond with points from Hyland and McCormack to close the gap back to four and with the game deep in added on time the Lilywhites had a chance to put real pressure on Fermanagh when they were awarded a penalty.
However, Erne goalkeeper Ross Bogue saved Kevin Feely’s spot kick as the home side saw out the remainder of the contest to wrap up a four-point win.
Scorers for Fermanagh: S Cassidy 1-1, D McCusker 1-1, U Kelm 0-2 (1f), G Jones 0-2 (2fs), L Cullen 0-1, C Cullen 0-1, J Largo Elis 0-1, R McCaffrey 0-1.
Scorers for Kildare: J Hyland 0-4 (3fs), P Woodgate 0-2, B McCormack 0-2, M Donnellan 0-2 (1f, 1’45), M O’Grady 0-1, K O’Callaghan 0-1.
Fermanagh: R Bogue; L Cullen, C Cullen, O Smyth; D McCusker, S McGullion, J Largo Elis; B Horan, J McDade; C McGee, R McCaffrey, C McShea; U Kelm, G Jones, S Cassidy
Subs: C McManus for McCusker (73), D King for Cassidy (73), T Bogue for McShea (70+3).
Kildare: M Donnellan; M O’Grady, S Ryan, E Doyle; K Flynn, J Sargent, B Byrne; K Feely, K O’Callaghan; A Beirne, B McCormack, A O’Neill; P Woodgate, S O’Sullivan, J Hyland
Subs: L Killian for O’Neill (HT), R Houlihan for Byrne (HT), C Bolton for O’Sullivan (49), A Masterson for Woodgate (67), P McDermott for Doyle (67).
Referee: Seamus Mulhare.
