All Ireland Football Round 1B Qualifier

Fermanagh 0-19 Wexford 1-11

By Michael Dwyer at Innovate Wexford Park

A calculated approach by Pete McGrath's Fermanagh dismantled the Wexford challenge in the All-Ireland SFC Qualifier Round 1 B clash in splendid sunshine at Innovate Wexford Park.

Following a lively tussle in the first-half, Fermanagh displayed an effective style of football that served to tire the hosts. Fermanagh starved David Power's men of possession, which culminated in a 22-minute scoring-drought for the Slaneysiders. When Wexford rallied back near the end, Fermanagh seemed unshaken by a long spell of injury-time as they dominated possession until Eddie Kinsella's final-whistle.

Fermanagh exploited the breeze, which blew in their favour for the opening spell. Seán Quigley was most prolific as his early tally of 0-3 (2fs) sent the visitors into 0-4 to 0-1 lead after mine minutes.

However, Donal Shanley's inimitable style of free-taking soon reaped dividends for Wexford, who began to spring back into contention. Shanley's fourth free on 19 minutes ignited a brilliant streak for the hosts as John Tubritt split the posts before setting up Shelmaliers clubman Simon Donohoe for a cracking goal.

Fermanagh's Barry Mulrone covered a lot of ground throughout the half. A point from the Devinish tilted the balance in Fermanagh's favour at the break (0-10 to 1-6).

Tomás Corrigan burst out of the traps for Fermanagh upon the restart and posed a threat at the Clonard-end. Nevertheless, Wexford created some brilliant attacking chances, which led to fine points from John Tubritt and Ben Brosnan.

Although one of his pointed frees was disputed by his opponents, Tomás Corrigan dazzled the Wexford defence with some clever movement, which helped him to earn nine points in total (five frees). His brother Ruairí Corrigan showed off a similar shimmy on 50 minutes when his point put Fermanagh ahead by 0-15 to 1-9.

As time ran out for Wexford, Daithí Waters excelled near the end. Despite having 14-men behind the ball at some points, the St. Martin's club man still managed to break through as he influenced a brace from Eoghan Nolan and Shane Roche. Any hopes for the hosts were soon dashed as a 74th minute point from Aidan Breen sealed victory for the Erne County.

Scorers for Fermanagh: T Corrigan 0-9 (5fs), S Quigley 0-4 (2fs), A Breen, E Donnelly 0-2 each, B Mulrone, R Corrigan 0-1 each.

**Scorers for Wexford: **S Donohoe 1-0, D Shanley 0-4 (4fs), J Tubritt 0-3,B Brosnan 0-2, K O’Grady, S Roche 0-1 each.

Fermanagh: C Snow; M Jones, C Cullen, M O’Brien; D McCusker, J McMahon, A Breen; E Donnelly, R O’Callaghan; B Mulrone, R Jones, P McCusker; R Corrigan, S Quigley, T Corrigan. Subs: C McManus for Jones (36), C Flaherty for O’Callaghan (45, BC), J Duffy for McCusker (58), D Kelly for D McCusker (72).

Wexford: A Masterson; J Rossiter, N Rossiter, J Wadding; B Malone, S Byrne, S Donohoe; C Kehoe, D Waters; K O’Grady, A Flynn, E Nolan; D Shanley, B Brosnan, J Tubritt. Subs: P J Banville for Byrne (46), K Butler for Flynn (50), S Roche for Shanley (58),  R Tierney for O’Grady (62), P Murphy for Masterson (62).

Referee: E Kinsella (Laois).