Three goals in five minute spell proves costly for U17s

Five minutes of madness saw Antrim secure a win at the Bawnacre on Tuesday evening in this U17 Ulster league encounter. 
The Saffrons plundered 3-01 in a five minute period in the second half and with Fermanagh down to 14 men the visitors were able to secure a two-point win that they scarcely deserved. 
The three goals conceded by Fermanagh in that period were of the sloppy variety and when the two sides meet in the championship in a number of weeks the Erne boys will need to eradicate the types of mistakes that saw them lose this game from a position of dominance. 
Over the course of the hour Fermanagh dominated midfield winning 24 kick outs to Antrim’s 12 and in attack, the home side were dangerous throughout although they were guilty of giving away possession on too many occasions over the course of the hour. 
Fermanagh got off to a flyer and went 1-03 to no score ahead inside the first 15 minutes. Daire McBrien was the goalscorer and he was to have a super game in the Erne full forward line. 
Antrim were to have the remaining two scores of the half as they hit 1-01 with their goal a played effort after a pass across the square. 
The first ten minutes of the second half saw plenty of incident. Conor Love, who along with McBrien, was causing the Saffron defence constant problems was among the point scorers for Fermanagh but at the other end, the home defence shot themselves in the foot with a five-minute spell that saw them hand three goals to the visitors. 
The Erne cause was also not helped with the sending off of Echlin O’Cathain and suddenly Fermanagh found themselves five points down. 
Love and McBrien went about reducing that gap with a number of super scores and a goal from Aaron Tierney had the sides all level with five to go. 
With a penalty shout turned down for the home side it was to be Antrim who finished the stronger and they secured the win with two well worked late points. 
Fermanagh were well served on the night by Oisin Jackson who was a hardworking and ever willing outlet in the half-forward line. 
McBrien was impressive for Fermanagh in the full forward line while Joe McDade was a powerful figure in the middle of the field for Phil O’Connor’s outfit. 
Further back in defence Leigh Greene was a tenacious corner back while Aaron McManus was a sturdy figure at centre half back for the boys in green. 
The focus now for Fermanagh switches to an April 28 meeting with the Saffrons in the Ulster Championship.