Tailteann Cup Round 1 North

FERMANAGH 1-12 LONGFORD 0-12

Kevin Egan at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

Reports during the week suggested that Fermanagh wing forward Ultan Kelm might be ready to play some part in this evening’s Tailteann Cup fixture at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, as the Erne Gaels player continued his recovery from a recurrent hip injury that meant he hadn’t played a competitive game for his county this year.

Not alone was he drafted into the starting team, but he proved to be the match winner for Kieran Donnelly’s side as he crowned a hugely impressive performance with the game’s decisive score, a clever low finish past Paddy Collum for the game’s only goal in the 69th minute.

The goal crowned a superb second half display from the Ulster county, who struggled in the early part of the game but gradually found their footing, first by coming to grips with Longford’s direct running through the middle third, and then by causing more and more problems for Longford at the other end of the field, primarily through the physical power and excellent finishing of the Derrygonnelly brothers, Ryan and Conall Jones.

Ryan Jones followed Kelm’s goal with a majestic point off the outside of the right boot, and while Longford continued to chase the game and reduced the gap through Darren Gallagher and Fergal Sheridan, they never looked like getting the goal they badly needed.

It was all a far cry from the early exchanges, when Longford shot three points in the opening seven minutes and looked like they could cut through the Fermanagh defence at will. The scores came from the impressive Keelin McGann and two Darren Gallagher frees, but those dead ball chances were created by powerful runs down the central channel that forced Fermanagh fouls.

Ciarán Corrigan settled Fermanagh with a point in the 9th minute, and while Longford were still comfortable at 0-5 to 0-2 in front after 20 minutes, by now they had lost their attacking fluidity as both sides struggled to break down massed defences.

The closing stages of the first half proved crucial to Fermanagh, as they overcame the loss of Conall Jones to a black card and still got to the interval well in contention, 0-6 to 0-4 in arrears.

Another outstanding run and finish from McGann could have rattled the net but instead fizzed inches over the bar for the first score of the second half, but with Jones back on the field, Fermanagh settled about their work and started to take control. Daragh McGurn and Joe McDade made some superb catches at midfield, Seán Quigley knocked over a brace of frees, and in the 46th minute they took their first lead through a Conall Jones point that was disputed, but ultimately awarded when referee Jerome Henry over-ruled his umpires.

McGurn added to that lead before Longford came back into the game, inspired by substitute Mark Hughes, who kicked two excellent points.

However they were unable to hit the front and with extra time looming and Fermanagh back in front by the bare minimum, a powerful run and exchange of passes left Kelm clean through on goal with just the keeper to beat, and he duly delivered the precise low finish that made his long rehabilitation seem worth it.

Scorers for Fermanagh: Ultan Kelm 1-1, Seán Quigley 0-4f, Ryan Jones 0-4, Ciarán Corrigan 0-1, Daragh McGurn 0-1, Conall Jones 0-1.

Scorers for Longford: Darren Gallagher 0-5f, Keelin McGann 0-2, Mark Hughes 0-2, Kevin Diffley 0-1, Ryan Moffett 0-1, Fergal Sheridan 0-1.

Fermanagh: Seán McNally; Luke Flanagan, Garrett Kavanagh, Jonny Cassidy; Aidan Breen, Declan McCusker, James McMahon; Ryan Jones, Joe McDade; Ultan Kelm, Conall Jones, Josh Largo Ellis; Ciarán Corrigan, Daragh McGurn, Seán Quigley.

Subs: Oisín Kelm for McMahon (half-time), Lorcan McStravick for Corrigan (59), Garvin Jones for U Kelm (70+2), Kane Connor for Breen (70+3)

Longford: Paddy Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, James Moran; Ryan Moffett, Michael Quinn, Barry O’Farrell; Darren Gallagher, Kevin Diffley; Keelin McGann, Darragh Doherty, Dessie Reynolds; Iarla O’Sullivan, Daniel Reynolds, Jack Duggan.

Subs: Jordan Shiels for O’Sullivan (28), Jayson Matthews for Duggan (half-time), Mark Hughes for Doherty (49), Eoghan McCormack for Daniel Reynolds (59), Fergal Sheridan for Diffley (70)

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)