Fermanagh minors secured a welcomed win away in the Ulster Championship when they defeated Antrim by six points at Corrigan Park on Sunday. 
Goals win games and that was certainly the case here as Fermanagh scored goals early in both periods to give them a platform that manager Phil O’Connor feels they fully deserved. 
“We knew in an away championship game that Antrim were going to put it up to us and that they did. But I did feel that if we all reached our level then we could win the game and that is how it panned out,” explained Phil. 
“The last day (in the league) we gave away silly goals but we did not do that on Saturday and defensively we were solid. I do think we could have driven on and won the game more comfortably but perhaps when there are a lack of championship wins at this level, then you tend to be more cautious and in fairness to the lads, we our goalkeeper Sean Mcnally only had to pull off one good save in the final quarter, so we won the game well.” 
Fermanagh did lose control of midfield and lost their captain Joe McDade with an ankle injury who is now rated a doubt for their next game against Cavan on Saturday week. The game will be at Brewster Park with a 6.00pm throw in. 
Phil continued: “Joe picked up an ankle injury and it did hamper us in midfield on the day. It is a wait and see game with him. Cavan will be a tough encounter but at least it is at home and a game that we are looking forward to them. We played Cavan in a friendly at Christmas and a lot of the boys would be familiar with them following the Ulster Colleges Rannafast campaign. I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing but it should be a good game.” 
With the back door system, Fermanagh will have two bites at the cherry to make the Ulster semi-final which Phil believes can only be a good thing. 
“Our job is to prepare the boys for inter-county senior football so the process of games and winning these types of games can only be positive. We are all looking forward to the rest of the campaign.”
Fermanagh got off to a great start when they opened their account for the day with a goal. Captain McDade was central as he broke forward and fed the ball to Achlin O’Cathain who slotted home for the perfect start. 
At the other end, Josh Horan made a superb block to deny Antrim an immediate response. 
A couple of points from Darragh McBrien edged Fermanagh further ahead before Antrim rallied ahead of the interval. 
Indeed, they levelled with O’Neill and Fitzpatrick among the points for the home team but Fermanagh had the final say when Conor Love pointed to give them a one point lead at the interval, 1-03 to 0-05.
Indeed, Fermanagh now had the breeze at their backs and the ideal start to the second half ultimately gave the platform they needed to go on and win the game. 
A direct ball in found McBrien who offloaded to Oisin Jackson and he fired home to give Fermanagh a four point lead they are to maintain until the end of the game.
 Love with a 45 stretched the gap to five before Antrim back with points from from Eoin Hynds and Danann McKeogh.
The home side were reduced to 14 when McKeogh received a second yellow for trailing down Love and O’Cathain pointed to add to the Antrim.
Indeed, they were down to 13 when Morris received a second yellow soon with Fermanagh using the numerical advantage to secure the game with points from McBrien, Gareth McGovern and Rian McGovern. 
At the final whistle, Fermanagh led 2-08 to 0-08 to set up local derby clash with Cavan in Brewster Park on Saturday, May 11.
Antrim: L Mulholland; G Downing, E Mervyn, R Murray; D Gough, D McAteer, M Munce; J Summersgill, E Hynds; O Doherty (0-1), C Fitzpatrick (0-2), C Morris; C O’Neill (0-1 free), B Rodgers (0-1), D McKeogh (0-1). Subs: F Henry (0-1) for D Gough (41), S McKay for J Summersgill (50), T Skillen for B Rodgers (59).
Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Leigh Green, Josh Horan, Gareth McGovern (0-1); Ronan McGovern (0-1), Aaron McManus, Ronan McHugh; Daire Hill, Joe McDade; Oisin Jackson (1-0), Darragh McBrien (0-3, 1 free), Daire Burke; Conor Love (0-2, 1 free, 1 45), Achlin O Cathain (1-1), Fergal Quinn. Subs: A Tierney for D Burke (38), A McHugh for J McDade (46), L McKeown for R McHugh (60).
Referee: Martin Conroy (Tyrone)