UUJ 1-21 Fermanagh 2-15

Fermanagh’s Conor McGurk Cup campaign was ended at Jordanstown on Saturday as they went down 1-20 to 2-15 to UUJ.

With the breeze in their favour in the first half Fermanagh were good value for their 2-11 to 0-08 half time advantage but as the wind picked up in the second half so did the students and they went on to seal their place in the next round with three points dividing the sides at the final whistle.

“It was a strong breeze on a fairly small pitch and I thought we started well and we deserved our lead at half time although it should have been greater as we missed a couple of other opportunities,” said Erne manager Joe Bladwin.

“The breeze then picked up in the second half and Jordanstown started to get on top and they tagged on some nice points while we missed a few chances.”

However, Baldwin was happy with the two games that his side got after they defeated Cavan last week and has now planned a couple of challenge games heading towards the league opener against Monaghan.

“We were happy with the two game that we got in the competition and we have two more lined up before the start of the league. We will play Leitrim this Sunday and either Westmeath U21s or Queens after that before we face Monaghan,” he said.

And he believes that Fermanagh are moving in the right direction as that league opener on February 4 draws closer.

“Lisbellaw had a fantastic run last year and we wouldn’t have been this far on last year.

“I feel that we are that wee bit further on this time around and we are not that far away.

“We are definitely moving in the right direction,” he added.

To help with preparations for the league, Baldwin will have Antrim and Loughgiel great Liam Watson taking a session with the squad.

“We have Liam Watson coming down next week. Liam doesn’t need any introduction, he has been there and done it many, many times. He will work on trying to improve the shooting and the free taking and all those wee things matter,” he added.

On Saturday, Fermanagh were the better side in the first half of the contest and looked to be in control with Brian Teehan and Caolan Duffy rattling the back of the students net.

With Sean Corrigan, Danny Teague, Ryan Bogue, Ultan O’Reilly and Teehan all registering points, Fermanagh built up a sizeable advantage.

There was also Fermanagh interest in the Jordanstown team with Luca McCusker, Ben Corrigan and Danann McGeough all featuring, McCusker accounting for five points for the side in the first half although at the interval Fermanagh led by nine.

Jordanstown though started the second half with a quickfire 1-03 to eat into the Erne advantage.

McCusker and McGeough were both among the points during the second period for UUJ as they took control to move into the lead.

Teehan, Teague and Corrigan did land points for Fermanagh while at the other end goalkeeper Mark Curry pulled off a stunning save but it was Jordanstown who were to progress as they finished up three point victors, 1-21 to 2-15.

For Fermanagh, there was a good contribution from Odhran Johnston, Danny Teague was again impressive and Brian Teehan had probably his best game for the county.