Cavan 3-12 Fermanagh 3-06

Fermanagh minors slipped to a third successive defeat in the Ulster Minor League when they went down 3-12 to 3-06 away to Cavan last Saturday.

Like the previous week against Sligo, the opposition hit a purple patch in the lead up to half time to put them into a 2-07 to 0-02 lead at the break, leaving Fermanagh a mountain to climb in the second half.

However, joint manager Tony Collins was again pleased by the character shown in the display of his side in the second half.

“It was a carbon copy of the Sligo game in that we had performed well against the breeze, even though we had a man black carded after only three minutes but they then hit a purple patch in the lead up to half time and we went in 11 points down.

“The encouraging part though was they they didn’t capitulate, they dug in during the second half and went on to win it.

“We just have to stop teams having that period where they get away from us.

“We had a young team out, we had six U16s playing and they are young an inexperienced but they showed resolve and character,” he commented.

Fermanagh face another stern test this Saturday when they host Derry at 11am in Roslea and Collins is hoping to have some of his injured players back for the game.

“We have a few boys still out so we haven’t been at full tilt but hopefully we will stronger this week.

“Derry are going to be another big test for us,” he added.

Fermanagh lost Liam McEnri to a black card after only three minutes of Saturday’s meeting with the Breffnimen but they kept things tight in the early stages.

Cian O’Brien, who had an excellent outing for the Ernemen, landed the away side’s two points in the first half but a two goal blast for Cavan late in the half pushed the home outfit into a commanding half time lead.

Cavan then added a third goal early in the second half from a harshly awarded penalty which was converted by Matthew Smith while O’Brien and McEnri knocked over scores for Fermanagh.

O’Brien then bagged his and Fermanagh’s first goal of the game although Cavan replied with three points in a row, two of which came from Lorcan Reilly to make it 3-12 to 1-04.

Fermanagh though refused to let the heads drop and they hit 2-02 before the finish to bring them back to within six at the final whistle.

Conor O’Hanlon and O’Brien lofted over points while O’Brien and Mattie McDermott fired home goals as it finished 3-12 to 3-06 in the home side’s favour.