Derry 3-13

Fermanagh 1-10

Derry scored 1-7 without reply in a devastating 19-minute spell in the second half to put Ulster rivals Fermanagh to the sword at Celtic Park.

Relegated from the top flight last season and now under new manager Damian Barton, the Oak Leafers made light of the heavy underfoot conditions to come from 1-5 to 1-6 down at the break to register an impressive win thanks to second half goals from Cailean O'Boyle and Mark Lynch.

Fermanagh made all the early running and led by 1-2 to 0-1 after 10 minutes thanks to points from Sean Quigley and Ruairi Corrigan, who also found the net following good work by Paul McCusker.

Derry replied with frees from Ryan Bell and James Kielt and an effort from play by Conor McAtamney before Declan McCusker restored Fermanagh's two-point lead. But when Kielt set up Benny Heron for a 25th minute goal, the hosts were ahead for the first time.

However, last year's All-Ireland quarter-finalists got their noses back in front before the break through scores from Quigley and Tomas Corrigan (both frees), and a superb solo effort by full back Aidan Breen.

Tomas Corrigan made it a two-point game again on the resumption, but Derry then suddenly found another gear to leave the visitors trailing in their wake. O'Boyle's fisted goal in the 45th minute was followed by quick points from sub Mark Lynch and Ryan Bell as they stamped their authority on proceedings.

Fermanagh went nearly 25 minutes without scoring before Sean Quigley split the posts. But Derry weren't to be denied, with Lynch fisting home their third goal in the closing stages.

Derry - T Mallon; K McKaigue, C McKaigue, C Mullan; N Forester, G McKinless, C McFaul; E Bradley (0-2), C McAtamney (0-1); C Kearns, J Kielt (0-4f), B Heron (1-0); D Heavron, C O'Boyle (1-0), R Bell (0-3, 1f). Subs: C Bradley (0-1) for C Kearns, M Lynch (1-2, 0-1f) for C McAtamney, M Craig for N Forester, S Heavron for B Heron, D McKinless for E Bradley, J Morgan for G McKinless.

Fermanagh - C Snow; M Jones, A Breen (0-1), C Cullen; D McCusker (0-1), J McMahon, D Kelly; E Donnelly, C Jones; B Mulrone, R Corrigan (1-1), P McCusker; C Flaherty, S Quigley (0-3, 2f), T Corrigan (0-3f). Subs: R Jones for C Flaherty, E McManus for C Jones, R Hanna (0-1) for R Corrigan.

Referee - Marty Duffy.

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