Tailteann Cup Round 2A: Fermanagh impress against Wexford

Tailteann Cup Round 2A

Fermanagh 2-20 Wexford 2-13

By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park

Fermanagh booked their place in Round 3 of the Tailteann Cup with a deserving seven-point victory over Wexford in Brewster Park.

Declan Bonner’s side led from start to finish and although Wexford threatened to get back into contention on a couple of occasions in the second half, Fermanagh were able to find a response each time to clinch the win.

It was another impressive outing from the in-form Darragh McGurn who hit 0-7 of his side’s total while midfielder Stephen McGullion came up with two big goals at crucial times to keep Fermanagh in control of the contest.

Fermanagh produced a clinical first half display to go in at the interval with a seven-point advantage against a Wexford side who were wasteful in front of the posts in the opening 35 minutes, hitting eight wides over the course of the half.

Fermanagh started brightly as Conor Love and McGurn fired over early scores before Sean Nolan opened the Wexford account from a free.

John Hegarty’s side were getting their hands on plenty of ball, but they failed to make the most of this while at the other end Fermanagh looked threatening when they got forward.

A two pointer from McGurn as well as points from Love, Garvan Jones, Conor McGee and Ronan McCaffrey pushed Fermanagh into a 0-9 to 0-2 lead by the 22nd minute although three points from Ben Brosnan kept Wexford in touch as the half drew to a close.

However, a Garvan Jones two point free late in the half sent the home side in with a seven-point half time lead, 0-12 to 0-5.

Wexford needed a big start to the second half, and they got just that as Eoghan Nolan and Brosnan traded points with McGurn before substitute Sean Ryan bagged a goal.

When Michael Kinsella then followed up with a point it saw the Erne advantage trimmed back to three points, 0-14 to 1-8, but the home side hit right back as McGullion punched to the net from a McGurn shot for a point that dropped short.

Again, Wexford rallied and Ryan grabbed his second goal before a Glen Malone point left it 1-15 to 2-9 with 20 minutes to play.

Fermanagh though regained the initiative as McGullion palmed to the net at the back post while McGurn, Ciaran Corrigan, Conor O’Hanlon and Josh Largo Elis notched points.

Wexford did keep battling with Pairic Hughes landing a two pointer and Martin O’Connor registering a late point, but it was not enough to deny the Erne men who march on in the competition.

Scorers for Fermanagh: Darragh McGurn 0-7 (2 tp), Stephen McGullion 2-0, Garvan Jones 0-4 (1f, 1tpf), Conor Love 0-2, Josh Largo Elis 0-2, Conor McGee 0-1, Mattie McDermott 0-1, Ciaran Corrigan 0-1, Conor O’Hanlon 0-1, Ronan McCaffrey 0-1

Scorers for Wexford: Sean Ryan 2-0, Ben Brosnan 0-4 (2f), Pairic Hughes 0-3 (1tp), Darragh Brooks 0-1 (f), Glen Malone 0-1, Eoghan Nolan 0-1, Michael Kinsella 0-1, Sean Nolan 0-1 (f), Martin O’Connor 0-1

FERMANAGH: Sean McNally; Declan McCusker, Oisin Smyth, Shane McGullion; Jonathan Cassidy, Ronan McCaffrey, Josh Largo Elis; Conor McGee, Stephen McGullion; Brandon Horan, Garvan Jones, Joe McDade; Conor Love, Darragh McGurn, Mattie McDermott. Subs: Ciaran Corrigan for Horan (46), Ultan Kelm for McDermott (48), Luke Flanagan for McCusker (50), Conor O’Hanlon for McGee (55), Oisin Kelm for Elis (67)

WEXFORD: Darragh Brooks; Eoin Porter, Gavin Sheehan, Shane Doyle; Liam O’Connor, Eoghan Nolan, Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Pairic Hughes, Tom Byrne, Michael Kinsella; Ben Brosnan, Mark Rossiter, Sean Nolan. Subs: Sean Ryan for Nolan (24), Patrick Breen for Doyle (h/t), Martin O’Connor for Brosnan (48), Robbie Brooks for Byrne (59), Aaron Breen for Malone (67)

Referee: Kieran Eanetta (Tyrone)