Fermanagh 2-12 Carlow 2-10

With a strong breeze a huge factor in this National League fixture it was a dominant first half performance that was to propel the Fermanagh ladies to their third win in a row and into joint second place in Division 4. 
Leading by 2-11 to 1-3 at the break the second half was to be a nervy affair with a Carlow securing their second goal of the game from a free in injury time, which made for a nervous finish. In truth, though, Fermanagh deserved to get the win although even playing into a stiff breeze they will be disappointed to only score a point in the second half. 
After the game Fermanagh boss, Emmet Curry, was in a pragmatic mood and focused on the positives;
“It is another win and the girls did very well in the first half. There was a very stiff breeze out there and it was difficult to play in to but they held in there and we are pleased to get the win.”
Roisin Reilly went off injured after 20 minutes and was a loss to the Erne cause. Her replacement, Shauna Hamilton played well but Fermanagh certainly missed Reilly’s presence. 
Blathain Bogue was excellent in attack in the first half and struck over a number of scores. Fermanagh were 2-03 to 0-02 to the good on the quarter hour mark with Brookeborough’s Anna Boyle raisinG the first green flag. Joanne Doonan was on target with the second Fermanagh goal when she did well to collect a long punt into the square and turned expertly to finish. The home side continued to be on top for the remainder of the half outscoring the visitors 0-08 to 0-01. 
Eimear Smyth was accurate from placed balls for the girls in green while Doonan was a real thorn in the Carlow defence from her full forward berth. 
In defence Courtney Murphy was in imperious form at full back for the entire hour while other Erne players to catch the eye included Dani McManus, Ciara Clarke and Aine McGovern. 
Fermanagh will play Kilkenny this Sunday in St Patrick’s Donagh before facing Wicklow and Limerick in their last two games in the league with Curry looking forward to the challenge and clear on what the objectives are for his team. 
“The aim is to get into the top four and get that semi final spot. We have recovered well from a big loss the first day out to win three in a row now and they are getting better every week.”
Fermanagh have certainly improved greatly from their first outing and they still have a number of players to return to the fold. 
Curry however is adopting a policy of loyalty to the players who are getting the wins at present and there is no doubt a real sense of competition among the Fermanagh squad as they enter into a crucial period in the league. A win this weekend against bottom side Kilkenny will set them up for a big push in their final two games.