Derry 2-08 Fermanagh 3-08

The Fermanagh Minor Girls secured a 3-08 to 2-08 victory in their Ulster Championship opener in Owenbeg last Saturday, a first ever success in a competitive game for many of these players who have been coming through the various age groups over the last number of years.

Fermanagh trailed by two points at the interval, 2-05 to 2-03 having suffered a blow as captain Laoise O’Keefe was sinbinned for a yellow card on 16 minutes, Derry hit 1-03 in this period but by the interval a resilient and resolute Erne side had cut the deficit back to two.

The hosts got off to the perfect start and within six minutes they had a 1-02 to 0-01 lead, Erin Tierney from a placed ball with the Fermanagh score.

The visitors settled and took a took a grip of the contest over the next ten minutes, Ciara McGarrigle cut the deficit to three with a great free from the left before Fermanagh levelled proceedings with well worked goal.

Knockninny’s Alannah Maguire stopped a Derry counter with a great tackle and Fermanagh broke forward in a wave, Orla Leonard fed Sinead Barrett who powered down the middle, Barrett sucked a defender to her and popped the ball into Erin Tierney who made no mistake with a low drilled effort into the bottom corner on 13 minutes to make it 1-02 a piece.

The yellow card for 10 minutes set Fermanagh back and Derry scored a penalty moments later, the visitor’s reply was a great point from corner back Niamh Smyth but Derry had pushed five clear coming to the interval, Fermanagh having a Caoímhe Gallagher goal disallowed for square ball in this period also.

Upon returning to the full complement of players the Erne side finished the half well and Ciara McGarrigle flicked a dipping Erin Tierney effort to the net to leave two in it at the interval.

Fermanagh were superb from the restart as Derry only mustered one point in the next 25 minutes.

A gritty and hard-working Fermanagh dominated the contest for a long period. Erin Tierney pointed on 34 minutes before substitute Eva Finlay McGovern rattled the net moments after her introduction, Ciara McGarrigle playing a sublime cross-field ball to set Finlay McGovern through on goal. With 37 minutes played, Fermanagh now led 3-04 to 2-06.

Fermanagh registered the next four points Áine McCarney kicked the point of the game from the left wing while McGarrigle and Tierney (2) pushed Fermanagh’s lead out to five with just five minutes to play.

Derry did manage to get down and apply pressure on the Fermanagh defence in the closing stages, but the defence stood firm, some great pressure and blocks from Sinead Barrett, Katie Shannon and Cara Gray ensured Derry only registered two late points in stoppage time. This all meant Fermanagh came back down the road with victory on a 3-08 to 2-08 scoreline.

Fermanagh travel to Ballybofey this Saturday for a 2pm throw in against Donegal who beat Down in their opening round.

Fermanagh Team: Aisling Quinn, Aine McCarney (0-1), Katie Shannon, Niamh Smyth (0-1), Laoise O’Keefe, Alannah Maguire, Orla Leonard, Niamh Boyle, Sinead Barrett, Caoimhe Gallagher, Caoimhe Hamilton, Ellie Carrigan, Chloe McManus, Erin Tierney (1-4), Ciara McGarrigle (1-2). Subs 34mins Eva Finlay McGovern (1-0) for C.Gallagher, 37mins Cara Gray for C.Hamilton, 49mins Maeve Mulligan for E.Carrigan, 54mins Jessica Connolly for A.McCarney. Yellow Card: 16mins Laoise O’Keefe.