Fermanagh Premiers successfully retained the Orchard Cup, following two comprehensive 3-0 victories at the Ardmore Playing Fields, Armagh.

Fermanagh Premiers competed against Co. Armagh Premiers, Co. Tyrone Premiers and Armagh City Development Squad for the Orchard Cup and played two matches each; the team coming out on top after the two games deemed winner of the tournament.

First up Fermanagh faced Co. Armagh Premiers and after a strong start, took an early lead in the fourth minute. A pin-point Darragh McBrien corner met the onrushing Dean Corrigan, whose perfectly executed volley flew beyond the keepers grasp and into the net.

Luke Johnston was commanding in the Fermanagh goal, with Niall Owens and Jamie Robinson providing a real threat down the left-hand side. Soon after it was 2-0 to Fermanagh. Jake Browne played an excellent ball in behind to striker Brandon Horan, with the centre forward expertly lobbing the onrushing Armagh goalkeeper and dropping the ball into the goal.

Armagh worked their way back into match and managed to hit the post, after their attacker scooped the ball over Johnston. Fermanagh managed to avert any further Armagh danger and went into half-time with the two goal advantage.

Owens clever free-kick early in the second half caught out the defensive wall, but the goalkeeper was on hand to tip the ball behind for a corner. Owens quickly played the resulting corner to McBrien, who got the better of his defender and drilled a low effort into the bottom corner to end the game as a contest.

Alex Holder put in a strong midfield performance, as Fermanagh managed to snuff out any forays forward by the Orchard County. Owens and full back Seanie Mahon threatened late on, but Fermanagh had done more than enough to secure the three points.

Fermanagh’s second match v Armagh City Development initially proved to be a much more difficult contest, in a first half that was very even and competitive.

Despite this, Conor Love thought he had gave his side an early lead, but he was unfortunate to see his clinical finish ruled offside.

City had an excellent chance to go in front, their midfielder beating two Fermanagh men and whistling an effort narrowly wide, before a Curtis Coalter header also went beyond the goal.

Johnston tipped another Armagh effort wide and Jake Smith saw his effort go over the bar as both sides went into half-time level.

The Ernemen rallied in the second half and were more of a threat in the attacking third. Love and Coalter had the early second half chances and it was indeed the former who made the breakthrough. An inch-perfect cross from Seanie Mahon found Love, who guided a sweet volley into the back of the net.

Fermanagh had several chances to double their lead, before eventually adding a deserved second.

The inspirational Love chased down a ball that looked destined to roll into the Armagh goalkeepers grasp and managed to get an important touch, which kept the ball alive. Horan then got involved and forced the goalkeeper out wide and intercepted the ball, before unleashing a shot off the crossbar. Horan’s effort fell to the feet of McBrien on the other side, who beat his defender and crossed for striker Horan, who finished with typical class for his second of the tournament and Fermanagh’s second of the game.

It wasn’t long until Fermanagh added a deserved gloss to the scoreline; Jamie Robinson nipping in at the far post from a low driven cross to seal another three points and, with other results going their way, sealing the 2017 Orchard Cup as well.