This was an excellent performance from Fermanagh against a Mayo side who have not been beaten in the league for over two years. It was though not enough to see them qualify for the Allianz National League semi-finals as Cavan defeated Sligo to snatch the final berth.

    This win means that Fermanagh picked up seven from a possible eight points in their last four league games and sets them up well going into their championship clash with Monaghan on 12th May in Clones.

    Fermanagh manager Dom Corrigan said before the game that this match would show how far Fermanagh have progressed this year after the disappointment of last year. It certainy seems that progress has been made and confidence regained with Fermanagh now playing the type of football for which they are renowned for.

    Another factor in the improvement is the return from injury this year of Raymie Gallagher and Colm Bradley to the forward line. Both have been in sparkling form in recent games and they accounted for 2-04 on Sunday with all their scores coming from play. Indeed only one Fermanagh score came from a free kick which is following the recent trend. Fermanagh are more than capable of taking scores from play as has been the case for the most part of the league. It was Fermanagh who had the better of the opening exchanges and by half-time had raced into a five point lead.

    The game had a scrappy start with neither side creating many chances in the opening ten minutes although Mayo did kick two wides from frees during this period.

    Rory Gallagher opened the score for Fermanagh shortly after. He received the ball 30 yards out from Paul Greene, turning and firing over the bar. Greene was making a welcome return to the Fermanagh colours after struggling with injuries for the past couple of years.

    The Fermanagh lead was increased to three points when Raymie Gallagher and Paul Brewster pointed. Gallagher finished a good move involving Rory Gallagher, Shane McDermott and Paul Brewster, while Paul Brewster struck over a fine score from defence following a good pass from Justin Gilheaney.

    During the opening half Fermanagh was on top in midfield, picking up the vast majority of the breaks in this period.

    Mayo replied in the 22nd minute with their first point from Conor Mortimer who lifted the ball over the bar with the outside of his left foot.

    It was in the period after this that Fermanagh really got to grips with the game. A good block from Martin Greene broke to Raymond Johnston and he in turn found Raymie Gallagher who pointed from wide on the right for his second point.

    From the resultant kick out possession was won by Fermanagh. A quick free from Shane McDermott found Raymond Johnston who transferred the ball onto Rory Gallagher. He unselfishly played the ball across the goal to Colm Bradley who coolly finished to the net.

    Mayo came back with two Conor Mortimer points before the interval sandwiched by a Colm Bradley point to leave the score at the interval reading 1-05 to 0-03. Although Mayo were guilty of kicking several wides in the first half Fermanagh were good value for their five point lead with some excellent periods of play in an open first half.

    The Fermanagh lead was increased to six points on the restart when Rory Gallagher converted a free kick after he had been fouled.

    Mayo made a number of substitutions at the break bringing in James Gill, T. Nallen and Colm McMenamin as they set about getting themselves back into the game.

    Three points on the trot from Mayo cut the Fermanagh lead back to three points with substitute James Gill accounting for two of the points while Stephen Carolan, who was now at full forward scored the other.

    When it would have been expected that Fermanagh would begin to crumble as has happened to previous Fermanagh sides they dug deep and soon after, they had increased their lead.

    Substitute Ronan McCabe opened his account at senior level with a point which was followed by two more points from Colm Bradley and Kieran Donnelly as Fermanagh reasserted themselves opening up a six point lead once again with the scores 1-09 to 0-06 as the game went into the final ten minutes.

    Mayo, though are not the reigning champions for nothing and eager not to let their unbeaten record go they began to hit back at Fermanagh. With two minutes remaining there was only a goal separating the sides with Conor Mortimer and another for James Gill and Stephen Carolan driving over the Mayo points.

    As the game moved close to the end a long hopeful ball was played into the Fermanagh defence which they failed to clear. Fortunately for Mayo it fell to centre forward David McDonagh and he toe poked the ball to the net to level the scores and a draw looked on the cards.

    Instead though Fermanagh launched an attack. Kieran Donnelly set off on a run along the sideline which saw him beat two men before sending in a high ball which was collected by Raymond Johnston. He fed Raymie Gallagher who unleashed a thunderous shot to the back of the net to seal victory for Fermanagh by a scoreline of 2-09 to 1-09.

    Fermanagh were thoroughly deserving their victory and this win will do confidence no harm at all. Yet again the Fermanagh defence was solid throughout with Paddy McGuinness, Micky Lilly and Neil Cox all playing well. In midfield Paul Brewster was super alongside Martin Greene while in attack Fermanagh had match winners in Raymie Gallagher and Colm Bradley with Raymond Johnston also having an excellent game.

    Fermanagh - D Feely, C Fitzpatrick, P McGuinness; M Lilly, S Burns, J Gilheaney, N Cox, M Greene, P Brewster (0-1), R Johnston, P Greene, S McDermott, Raymond Gallagher (1-2), Rory Gallagher (0-2), C Bradley (1-2). Subs - B Owens for Bruns; R McCabe for Owens; L McBarron for Bradley, T Brewster for P Greene; K Donnelly for T Brewster.