Late goal denies Fermanagh a winning start

Editorial Department • Published 15 Jul 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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Westmeath 1-07; Fermanagh 0-08;

Fermanagh were left feeling dejected after this first round qualifier in Cusack Park on Saturday. A sub standard performance from David Mee's side coupled with some rather questionable refereeing decisions saw Fermanagh concede a late injury time goal, to deny them a winning start to their All Ireland campaign.

With the appointed Galway referee failing to turn up for the match in Mullingar, it was the lineswoman from Wexford, Mags Doherty, who officiated the game. Her decision to play seven minutes of injury time at the end of the second half allowed Westmeath back into this match as they came from behind to snatch victory.

In the opening half the teams traded scores, largely from frees to leave the score level with three points apiece at half time. Westmeath's Laura Walsh, kicked a free in the second minute, before pointing from play with eight minutes on the clock. Caroline Little converted a free a minute later before she levelled the scoring with another point on ten minutes.

Scores were proving difficult to come by as both sides played a defensive game. When the opportunities did present themselves some poor decision making and wayward shooting was Fermanagh's downfall. The Erne ladies eventually took the lead with another free from Caroline Little but this was soon cancelled out by a Westmeath point before the break.

Fermanagh took the lead after in the opening minute of the second half from the boot of Caroline Little. With only three minutes played they extended this lead with a point from Marcella Connolly. However, two consecutive frees from Laura Walsh meant their lead was short-lived. Fermanagh continued to work hard and their efforts were rewarded with three consecutive points. Marcella Connolly, Shauna Hamilton and Caroline Little all adding to Fermanagh's tally.

Walsh did narrow the margin with a point but as the game entered the final two minutes Fermanagh held a two point lead. Westmeath were pushing forward in a bid to get a goal and that they did in the fourth minute of injury time. After Fermanagh committed a foul 25 metres from goal, Maud Foley stepped up to take the resultant free. Before Fermanagh organised themselves on the line, Foley blasted to the back of the net to give her side a one point lead.

Fermanagh will rue the fact they had ample opportunity to make this game safe but failed to do so. Instead, it was Westmeath who chipped in with another point from Walsh to secure the victory. After seven minutes of injury time the Wexford official blew the final whistle to the dismay of the Fermanagh management.

"It was awful confusing for both sets of girls. Frees were being given and neither team knew which way it was being awarded or indeed what it was for. At the end of the game we knew there would be one or two minutes to be added on but seven minutes, only she (Mags Doherty) knows where that all came from. There was no indication given that she was going to play that much. Having said that the referee didn't lose us this match, she didn't help, but we had enough chances and shouldn't have been hanging on," admits Mee.

Mee not only criticised the players but says he also underperformed as manager.

"The whole team underperformed. There's not one of us could put our hand up and say we done our best. The whole lot of us were poor and we need to start showing some get up and go."

Next up is Cavan this weekend and a win is vital if Fermanagh are to stand a chance of progressing in the All Ireland series, says the manager.

"It's not a case of can we win, we have to win. We will need to play the best we've played all year. A win would only put us back on track, it won't guarantee anything because after that we have to play Donegal."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 15 Jul 10

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