Stefan Campbell scored vital second half points as Armagh defeated Fermanagh. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Armagh 0-15 Fermanagh 0-11
By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park
Armagh maintained their promotion push as they secured a four-point victory over Fermanagh in Brewster Park today.
Kieran McGeeney’s side led by two at the interval, but it was the period after half time that proved key as they pushed their advantage out to five points and remained in control through to the finish.
The Orchard County had started the brighter of the sides as Blaine Hughes and Conor Turbitt rattled over points before Andrew Murnin blazed over from a goal chance.
Fermanagh were just hanging on in this spell with goalkeeper Ross Bogue pulling off a save to deny Turbitt as Armagh looked to push home their advantage.
However, the home side settled to the task after this and three fine points from distance from Declan McCusker, James McMahon and Conor McGee had them leading 0-4 to 0-3 by the 19th minute.
Armagh, though, regained the upperhand and after the impressive Stefan Campbell traded points with Erne midfield Joe McDade, they hit four in a row through Cian McConville, a Murnin mark, a fine score form Grugan and a point from corner back Peter McGrane.
Fermanagh had the last say of the half as Conor McShea pointed but at the break Armagh led by two, 0-8 to 0-6.
The Ernemen registered the first point of the second half as Ultan Kelm converted a free, but Armagh produced a strong spell after this to open up a cushion between the sides.
Turbitt opened the Orchard account in the second half from a free before Grugan clipped over an excellent score from the right.
Turbitt and Murnin then further extended the Armagh advantage as they made it 0-12 to 0-7.
Garvan Jones hit Fermanagh’s first point in 15 minutes, but Campbell answered for Armagh to restore the five point lead while the Orchard had Fermanagh goalkeeper Bogue scrambling back as they broke quickly after turning over the ball.
Corner back Paddy Burns carried the ball from deep in his own defence, but he was unable to finish, his effort going wide of the post.
Fermanagh to their credit continued to battle and Sean Cassidy converted a free and Jones knocked over a mark to bring the home side back to within three points.
However, Armagh put the game to bed as they hit back with Campbell accounting for his third point before goalkeeper Hughes drilled over a ’45 to make it 0-15 to 0-10.
Fermanagh sub Callum Jones did land a good score late on, but this was only a consolation point as Armagh deservedly claimed the spoils.
Scorers for Armagh: S Campbell 0-3, A Murnin 0-3 (1m), C Turbitt 0-3 (1f), R Grugan 0-2, B Hughes 0-2 (45s), P McGrane 0-1, C McConville 0-1.
Scorers for Fermanagh: D McCusker 0-2, G Jones 0-2 (1m), J McMahon 0-1, J McDade 0-1, C McGee 0-1, C McShea 0-1, U Kelm 0-1 (f), S Cassidy 0-1 (f), C Jones 0-1.
Armagh: B Hughes; P Burns, A McKay, P McGrane; G McCabe, A Forker, C Mackin; B Crealey, S Campbell; A Murnin, R Grugan, J McElroy; C McConville, C Turbitt, O Conaty
Subs: J Og Burns for Crealey (44), J Duffy for Conaty (55), B McCambridge for McElroy (58), O O’Neill for McConville (62), R McQuillan for Burns (65).
Fermanagh: R Bogue; L Cullen, C Cullen, C McManus; D McCusker, S McGullion, J McMahon; B Horan, J McDade; C McGee, C McShea, F O’Brien; T Bogue, G Jones, U Kelm
Subs: J Largo Elis for McManus (HT), R McCaffrey for McMahon (45), S Cassidy for T Bogue (52), J Reihill for Kelm (55), C Jones for McGee (70+3).
Referee: Paul Faloon.