Fermanagh roast Redhands
April 26, 2012Fermanagh, 3 gls. 4 pts. Tyrone, 1 gl. 7 pts.
Brewster Park, Enniskillen,
Wednesday 25th Apr 2012
In a game of literally two halves, the previously under the cosh Fermanagh, who in this games opening half only registered one score in the opening quarter, a superb morale boosting side line puck and point from the Ernesider's mid-fielder Thomas Cleary. Then within minutes of half time Fermanagh's full forward Connor Durnien banged home his and his sides' first goal. There dominant opening half opponents from neighbouring Tyrone dominated both playing park and score board, from which they had registered 1 goal 3 points by the game's interval. Then after serious half time pep talks from Fermanagh's mentors Rory O'Donnell and Brian Johnston, on the matches resumption and a favourable win at their backs, the Erneside youngsters belatedly got going with match wining goals and points. This was new and revitalised Fermanagh side, no longer on the back foot or second to the slithor. Driving over an additional 2 goals and 2 points they bravely battling Fermanagh restricted their Tyrone to 3 additional points. Fermanagh now play the winners of the other Shield semi-final Cavan or Monaghan.
The Match - the first half.
Tyrone Dominant.
Brave freezing wind this Ulster minor Hurling Shield Semi-Final between hosts Fermanagh and their northern neighbours Tyrone got off to quickish start, when they Red Hands Mathew Mulgrew pucked over his sides first point from play. However constant Erneside pressure forced the Red Hands into conceding an innocent looking side line puck, which was addressed by taker Thomas Cleary, who then clinically and calmly swept the slithor over the bar seventy metres away. Now as the opening quarter was drawing to a close, and with repeated Tyrone attacks, which had been thwarted by stout hearted Fermanagh defenders such as Colum McPhillip's in goals, David Teague at right half back, Cathal Caulfield at full back. Further up the park Micky O' Hora had a great game at right half forward. Eventually they Tyrone side slipped through a previously water tight Erneside defence to registered their first and only goal by their ace attacker Mathew Mulgrew. Before the opening was finished they Red Hands now pucked two more points from Dwyer Marshal and Eamon Duffin. Though there was an entire second quarter to be played they Tyrone side only added and additional one point, due to the persistent and close attention from they Erneside defence, and in particular their gifted goalkeeper Colum McPhillip's, who on many occasion thwarted would goal attempts from his goal line. They scoreboard dominant Tyrone had by close on half time wasted over a dozen wides in their many attempts to increase their interval score. In the absence of Red Hand scores, the seeds of a Fermanagh scoring break through began, with their first major score by their full forward Connor Durnien, who blasted home his and sides first goal from play. With the opening half's thirty second minute now passed, this matches' referee Brendan Sweeney blew for a very welcoming half time, which they visiting side would regret many lost chances to increase their scoring. In contrast they latter hosts Fermanagh trooped off to their dressing rooms, with belief, that things would only get better. On the games resumption the many spectators present would see if that prediction was to prove accurate.
Half time scores
Fermanagh, 1 gl. 2 pts. Tyrone, 1 gl. 4 pts.
Fermanagh Dig Deep For Victory.
After serious half time pep talks from Fermanagh's mentors Rory O'Donnell and Brian Johnston, then on the matches resumption and with a favourable win at their backs, this now revitalised Erneside began as if their opening half's modest performance was a distant memory. Taken a leaf out their older colleagues playing book, first to the slithor, and first to score, they Fermanagh youngsters ace major scorer Connor Durnien seized on incoming slithor, and run a few short metres buried the ball in the Tyrone net for his and his sides second goal. Though this game's second half was barely minutes old, they Fermanagh side who had been for the whole of the opening half decisively in arrears, were in with their important second goal now front with a score of 2 goals 2 points 1 goal 4 points for they Tyrone side. Moments they latter scorer added a modest one point, and again from. Now with a very vociferous Fermanagh supporters cheering them to the echo, they youthful Ernesiders repeatedly rose to the occasion, whether defending heroically from the goal line out, or registering more scores from Ciaran Corrigan sized on a high flying slithor and then they centre half forward practically ran they full length of the pitch and then from just outside they Red Hands square blasted home his side's third and last goal from play. Moments later they same added a fourth point for the Fermanagh hosts. With the third quarter ending the previously dormant Red hand side registered their fifth point courtesy of Dwyer Marshal to bring they current score for Fermanagh, with 3 goals 4 points to 1 goal 5 points for they now embattled Tyrone side.
Fermanagh Consolidate And Win.
With this game's fourth quarter now entered, it was the duty of the young Ernesiders now simultaneously defend their defences and their magnificent fought and won lead. Given away possession or scores was not an option. Fermanagh youngsters were now fast track learners retaining control of their lead, the playing park and above the fast pucked slithor. Their opponents could not believe what was taken place in front of them, a revitalised and major scoring Fermanagh side. Though there was still over ten minutes to full time, and their was only one team in charge of the score board and they playing park. And they weren't from the Land of the O'Neill. Meanwhile back in the Land of the Maguire's they hosts were fast tackling and thus encouraging their opponents into increasing hitting more wides. Then in the last five minutes of normal time they Red Hands added two more points from Mathew Mulgrew and Dwyer Marshal. A little too late to have any effect on a now triumphant Fermanagh side, who moments later, with the blowing of the final whistle declared rightful winners in a game of two halves, which Ernesiders overcame a slow scoring opening quarter to eventually dominant this game two quarters on.
Full time scores
Fermanagh, 3 gls. 4 pts. Tyrone, 1 gl. 7 pts.
Referee, Brendan Sweeney.
Fermanagh, Colum Phillip's, Connor McElroy, Cathal Caulfield, Joseph Gavin, David Teague, Barrie Duffy, Connor McElroy, Tommy Cleary ( 1 pt.), Ryan Maguire, Michael O'Hora, Ciaran Corrigan ( 1 gl. 1pt.), Chrissy Corry, Vincent Woods, , Connor Durnien ( 2 gls. 2 pts.) & Micky Williamson.
Subs. Ruari Mulligan, Martin Beggan, Tarlach Russell, Odhran Russell. Daniel Goodwin & Kevin Curran.
Manager, Rory O'Donnell, coach, Brian Johnston.
Tyrone, Connor Gilmore, M Mannelly, Mathew Mulgrew ( 1 gl. 1 pt.), Kevin Gormley, Kevin Hughes, Gavin McNamee, Rory Devlin, S.P.McGuckin, Caolan Devlin, Aiden O'Neil, Ciaran Crudden, Brian McGurk ( 2 pts.), Eamon Duffin ( 2 pts.), R Mc Kernan,Dwyer Marshal ( 2 pts.),
Subs. C Mc Crudden,
Manager, Declan Bennett. Tweet
