Tailteann Cup: Fermanagh sail past Sligo

Tailteann Cup quarter-final

FERMANAGH 2-25 Sligo 0-9

By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park

Fermanagh sailed into the Tailteann Cup semi-final with an emphatic victory over a disappointing Sligo at Brewster Park.

The sides were level at the midway stage of the first half but after this the Ernemen took control of proceedings in all areas of the pitch to go in at the break with a commanding ten point advantage.

Sligo did have a chance to get back into the contest ten minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty but Niall Murphy’s effort was saved by Fermanagh netminder Sean McNally and the home side went on to rattle off a succession of scores including a Mattie McDermott goal to ease into the last four.

Sligo had registered the opening two scores of the game through Alan McLoughlin and Lee Deignan and it was an evenly contested encounter in the opening quarter as Shane McGullion and Conor Love knocked over points for Declan Bonner’s charges to leave it 0-4 apiece after 17 minutes.

From this point though Fermanagh took a grip on matters as goalkeeper McNally stepped up to drill over a two point free while the excellent Ultan Kelm also fired over.

Then came the key score of the half as Jonathan Cassidy and Mattie McDermott combined to tee up Shane McGullion who slotted to the net.

With Kelm and Conor O’Hanlon tagging on further points, the home side went in at half time with a 1-12 to 0-5 lead.

The sides traded points early in the second half with Ultan Kelm knocking over a brace for Fermanagh while Niall Murphy and McLoughlin clipped over for Sligo as the gap remained at ten points.

The away side were offered a way back into the contest in the 45th minute when they were awarded a penalty but Fermanagh goalkeeper Sean McNally pulled off a fine save to deny Murphy before the ball was cleared.

And Fermanagh had things all their own way from this through to the finish as they pulled further away through points from Garvan Jones, Love, Ronan McCaffrey and McDermott.

Fermanagh’s second goal arrived on the hour mark as McDermott showed good composure to tuck the ball to the corner after collecting a pass from Josh Largo Elis before substitutes Aogan Kelm, Ciaran Corrigan and Sean Cassidy lofted over points.

Sligo did land a late two point free from David Quinn but this was only a consolation score with the tie was over long before the final whistle as Fermanagh ran out comfortable 2-25 to 0-9 winners.

Scorers for Fermanagh: Mattie McDermott 1-4 (1f), Ultan Kelm 0-4, Shane McGullion 1-1, Conor Love 0-3, Garvan Jones 0-3 (1f), Ronan McCaffrey 0-2, Sean McNally 0-2 (tpf), Conor O’Hanlon 0-2 (tp), Josh Largo Elis 0-1, Aogan Kelm 0-1, Sean Cassidy 0-1, Ciaran Corrigan 0-1

Scorers for Sligo: Alan McLoughlin 0-4 (1f), David Quinn 0-2 (tpf), Niall Murphy 0-1, Shane Deignan 0-1, Lee Deignan 0-1

FERMANAGH: Sean McNally, Garvan Jones, Oisin Smyth, Shane McGullion; Jonathan Cassidy, Ronan McCaffrey, Josh Largo Elis; Conor McGee, Stephen McGullion; Conor O’Hanlon, Ultan Kelm, Joe McDade; Conor Love, Darragh McGurn, Mattie McDermott. Subs: Brandon Horan for McGee (53), Sean Cassidy for Jones (55), Oisin Kelm for U Kelm (57), Aogan Kelm for McDade (59), Ciaran Corrigan for O’Hanlon (62)

SLIGO: Aidan Devaney; Tommy Ross, Luke Casserly, Jack Lavin; Michael Lavin, Conor Sheridan, Nathan Mullen; Darragh Cummins, Gavin Gorman; Lee Deignan, Alan McLoughlin, Cian Lally; Eddie McGuinness, Niall Murphy, Shane Deignan. Subs: Pat Spillane for S Deignan (h/t), Conor Walsh for Cummins (42), Sean Carrabine for Murphy (55), Mark McDaniel for Michael Lavin (55), David Quinn for L Deignan (62)

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)