CLory Meagher Cup-2012
Semi-final

Fermanagh, 3 gls. 16 pts;
Leitrim, 2 gls 12 pts.


At Parc Na Oige, Maguiresbridge
Saturday 26 May 2012
4.00 pm

Played on a pristine pitch at Parc Na Oige, Maguiresebridge, where both sets of players had to battle, not solely with the barely bearable heat of a late afternoon, but the whirling wind, which changed direction frequently during this hectic match. This Fermanagh side though under they visitors cosh for most of this game's opening quarter, weathered they erstwhile successful Leitrim offensive to make hurling history, and go on to play Tyrone in the Lory Meagher Cup of 2012, in Croke Park

Finally to the game, which to everyone's surprise was dominated in the game's quarter by the visiting Leitrim side, who had a trio of points from their ace scorer and full forward Clement Cunniffe, who clipped a trio of unanswered points in the opening moments? Finally the apparently dormant hosts struck back through their own ace scorer and right full forward Sean Corrigan, who initially replied with a modest point from play… A tit-for-tat now accured, with Clement Cunniffe adding his and his sides fourth point from play. Almost immediately this matches' only other scorer Sean Corrigan, with his and his side's first goal from created this game's first draw of 1 goal 1 point for they Fermanagh hosts to 4 points for Leitrim. Now a goal scoring tit-for-tat now happened, with Clement Cunniffe now seriously running up to the scoring with his first and his side's first goal from play. Barely had they slither being driven back down field, when it was returned downfield to the inviting hands of Clement Cunniffe, who needed no prompting to double his goal scoring triumph. This most unexpected Leitrim goal and point scoring blitz had taken supporters, players and not they least they Erne side side line management, with complete surprised. They Fermanagh defence was obviously porous, with conceding two goals in a matter of minutes. To the shock of the large Fermanagh attendance they P.A announcer declared Fermanagh, the end of the opening quarter's scoring was with a modest 1 goal 1 point ( 4 points) to Leitrim with a triumphant 2 goals 4 points (10 points). A modest one point reply by Fermanagh's Paul McGolderick, was all that Erneside could muster in reply. They serious of the situation was gravely apparent to the Erneside players and supporters alike, and now was the time for they Fermanagh team management to implement some drastic changes to a) prevent further major scoring opportunities and get back into the scoring game. Any scores of any denominations would do. Off went starting full back Cathal McGarry, and on came Eoin Morrissey. They double strategy of renewing their defence meant that there were no more goals were to be conceded. Whilst this matches opening quarter was definitely dominated by the north Connaught side, with their morale boosting score of 2 goals 4 points to 1 goal 4 points, a dramatic turnaround by they Fermanagh side was definitely on the cards. A more direct attacking of their opponent's defences now saw they Fermanagh side tag on further with a triple of points from Paul McGolderick. However something of major morale boosting scoring nature was needed well before half time. And in the time honoured cliché of, come-the-man-come-the-honour was bestowed on Fermanagh centre half forward Declan McGarry, who rose high to grab an incoming slithor, with which he darted through his opponent's defence and within twenty metres of the Leitrim goals to blast home his sides second major score of the afternoon. They still battling North Connaught side were quick to reply with points from frees by Clement Cunniffe, thus retaining a two point lead over their hosts. Though the Erne side were still in arrears, with a score of 2 goals 4 points to Leitrim's 2 goals 6 points, they Fermanagh spectators now sensed that their Erneside heroes were now heading towards a scoring lead at the end of this matches second quarter. With less than ten minutes to half time a vastly revitalised home side, ran up to the scoring plate, with firstly another well taken point by Paul McGolderick. Then moments later a solitary, but well taken point was pucked over by Fermanagh's right half forward half forward Andrew Breslin, brought about this games second draw of 2 goal 6 points each.

However they Ernesider's were not content a with a minor score to end this game's opening half , and they now sprung this matches' last major attacking imitative,wheny their elusive score-in-chief Sean Corrigan, who within five minutes to this game's interval banged home his second and his side's third goal from play. Though there was still moments left to this game's interval They Fermanagh attackers pursued score getting chances until they half-time whistle, with a point each from Sean Corrigan, Paul McGolderick, and Shea Curran. It was now a happier bunch of Fermanagh hurlers that ran off the Parc Na Oige, Maguiresbridge at this game's half time.

Half time scores

Fermanagh, 3 gls. 9 pts; Leitrim, 2 gls. 6 pts.

Second half

Fermanagh in Total Control

The otherwise quiet but very effective Fermanagh mid-fielder John Duffy was the first attacker to run up to the scoring plate, when he fired over his sides tenth point from a free. They latter Ernesider was now joined in an intermittented Fermanagh point scoring blitz by the very inform Paul McGolderick, who popped over his side's eleventh minor score from a free. The from capitulated Leitrim's Clement Cunniffe, who clipped over his side's seventh point from a free. However they now dominated Fermanagh side though not scoring at will were finding easier to puck off easier that in this game's opening half, with further third quarter scores from Shea Curran and Paul McGolderick. Now into this games fourth and final half they Erneside hosts further minor scores from John Duffy, Sean Corrigan and well before full time Fermanagh's right half back Francie McBrien fired over his sole score, and claiming his side's last point. Though they now victorious Ernesider's now firmly batten down their defences, there was no stopping very inform Leitrim scorer Clement Cunniffe, who completed his personally profitably days scoring, with clipping over his last three points. Though they fiery Leitrim man will look back on a successful day scoring of 2 goals 8 points. The true heroes will the entire Fermanagh Senior Hurling panel, who have made history in being the first team from they Erneside county to compete in an All Ireland Hurling Final at Croke Park, when they take Hurlers taken on Tyrone in the Lory Meagher Cup Final of 2012. Everybody in the county are wishing they Fermanagh Senior Hurling team and panel them well, when they run onto they pitch at Croke Park in a few week's time.

Final Scores

Fermanagh, 3 gls. 16 pts; Leitrim, 2 gls 12 pts.

Teams, Fermanagh, Dwayne Phillip's, Cathal McGarry, Daniel Teague, Eoin Mahon, Francie McBrien ( 1 pt.), Mark Slevin, Karl Kehoe (Capt.), John Duffy (2 pts.), Ryan Bogue , Andrew Breslin ( 1 pt.). Declan McGarry (1 gl. 1 pt.), J.P. McGarry, Sean Corrigan (2 gls. 3 pts.), Shea Curran (2 pts.) & Paul McGolderick (6 pts.).

Subs., Eoin Morrissey for Cathal McGarry, Peter Timoney for Shea Curran, Fergus Bannon for Declan McGarry, Rory Porteous for Paul McGolderick, Colm McManus for Andrew Breslin, Shane Mulholland, Eoin Morrissey, , Colum Rice & Tommy Cleary.

Managers, Seamus McCusker & Sean Duffy.

Leitrim - T McLoughlin; Seamus Mc Tiernan, V Mc Dermott, P Clerkin; P McManus, S Feeney, K McGrath; D Poniard (1 pt. ), M Quinn; N McLoughlin ( ), K Boyle ( ), S Moradi (1 pt.); M Dolan, C Cunniffe (2gls. 8 pts.), M Poniard (1 pt.). .

Subs: M O'Donoghue (1 pt.), for M Dolan, Shane Mc Tiernan for Seamus Mc Tiernan. Referee,

Manager, Mairtin O'Conduib.

Referee, James Clarke, Cavan. Tweet

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