For Fermanagh hurling manager Joe Baldwin the defeat to Cavan was a bit like Groundhog Day, or “groundhog hurling” as he put it.

The same failings missed chances and ill-discipline, came back to haunt a Fermanagh side who were the better team for most of the contest in Kingspan Breffni Park.

A win would have sent Fermanagh straight through to the semi-finals of the Lory Meagher but they now have to wait and see who they will play from the other group if they are to keep their Championship aspirations alive.

“It’s just the same old things have come back to haunt us. You know we can’t shoot 17 or 18 wides in a game of hurling, and we certainly can’t concede the amount of frees that we do in scoring areas. And it’s one that very much, has got away from us,” said a frustrated Baldwin.

Switched off

Fermanagh’s failure to take their chances was at its most obvious in the 63rd minute when a driving run from Kevin McGarry played in Sean Corrigan. His goal attempt fell to Barry McPhillips who failed to convert and while play was pulled back for a free, this was also missed.

From the puckout, Cavan went down the field and scored the only goal of the game.

“The disappointing thing about that is whether Sean puts the ball over the bar or not the game restarts and we were switched off for the restart and ultimately that’s where the goal came from.

“So there’s a lot of lessons to be learned, there was a lot of pain in the circle on Sunday after the game, and some harsh words were said but I think they needed to be said.”

Pushing Conor McShea up on the Cavan sweeper and moving JP McGarry to half-forward paid dividends as both players put in strong performances and Baldwin had praise for Thomas Cleary, Luca McCusker, Aidan Flanagan and subs John Duffy and Kevin McGarry.

But despite being the better side not being able to kill the game ultimately cost Fermanagh the victory.

“We had ample opportunities to kill the game off on and we just didn’t do it but there are harsh lessons learned.

“I just hope that the players will watch the video and take onboard analysis, learn lessons too because it is Groundhog Day, all over again. And that can’t happen.”

Baldwin expects their next game to be against Monaghan in 10 days and with the Fermanagh Senior footballers out of action, he is hopeful to add Danny Teague and Ciaran Corrigan to his squad.

“If Ciaran and Danny present themselves which I hope they do it only adds to the intensity of training over the next couple of weeks. I mean the two boys are quality lads and will be super fit coming back from the football squad.”

But as a squad, Baldwin is expecting a reaction. He knows the players are hurting. And he wants them to take a look at themselves and take ownership of the mistakes that cost them the game last Sunday.

“I told the players on Sunday they have to go home and look at themselves in the mirror, really take a good hard look at themselves and I’m expecting a bit of bouncebackability. I’m expecting a reaction against whoever comes through the other side.

“We all know that we are good enough, not only to contest but to win at this level.

“We need to get a reaction and I want to see the real Fermanagh show up,” Baldwin concluded.