In hurling there is no substitute for sheer class - those wristy flicks and feints that separate artists and artisans.

And young Fermanagh star Luca McCusker has artistry in every vein after delivering a memorable man of the match display in hitting 1-09 against a very strong Donegal outfit.

Fermanagh set up the semi-final clash following a 0-29 to 1-18 win over Queen’s University last Saturday.

But it was not enough on a night when the absent experience of the travelling Sean Corrigan, Francis McBrien and Brian Teehan might have made a real difference at icy Brewster Park.

As it was, two late goals from sub Josh Cronolly McGee put some gloss on a stuttering Donegal display over a youthful but game Fermanagh side.

The winners looked to be cruising in the first half after leading by 0-11 to 0-06 at the break.

But Cronolly McGee’s two goals in the 66th and 69th minutes sealed the deal in a hard- fought affair in trying conditions.

However, the reigning McGurk Cup champions will know that a similar display will not be good enough when Mickey McCann’s men now travel to Belfast to meet Down in the Conor McGurk Cup final.

Fermanagh were smaller, lighter and younger but recovered well from a poor opening to make a real contest in the second half.

Donegal had a much better spread of scorers but marksman Gerry Gilmore showed he is human after all by missing a few relatively easy frees.

But he was denied a clear point and Donegal were on the wrong side of a few calls from Cavan referee James Clarke - most notably when Stephen Gillespie had his helmet ripped of in a melee and he was blown up for overcarrying.

Donegal were swiftly out of the traps with Ruairi Campbell striking a fine point after just 20 seconds.

The rangy Liam McKinney and Sean McVeigh added to their tally as Fermanagh struggled to get to the pace of the game.

Veteran John Duffy got the home side off the mark, but McKinney swept over another point for a much a sharper looking Donegal by the fifth minute.

Both sides then hit two wides apiece before the lively Danann McKeogh found the target for the Ernesiders to leave Donegal leading by 0-04 to 0-02.

It was then Tir Chonaill’s Conor Gartland who converted a great side-line cut to give his side a three-point lead.

Donegal’s burly centre back Stephen Gillespie tried to take on about five players but was blown for overcarrying much to the chagrin of some of the Donegal fans as he lost his helmet in the scrimmage.

But Donegal remained in the ascendancy against a much younger and lighter Fermanagh side.

Fermanagh’s best player McCusker hit the first of his three first half points as Campbell made it 0-08 to 0-04.

Gilmore and McCusker swapped points from frees, in the run up to half time as Gartland made it 0-11 to 0-06 at the break.

Fermanagh came back strongly in the third quarter even though Gilmore made it a six point game from a free.

McCusker and Gilmore resumed their scoring duel with pointed frees.

But youthful Fermanagh took over and a series of pointed frees from Luca McCuksker left just two points between the sides as Donegal led by 0-13 to 0-11 with 50 minutes gone.

Gilmore and McKinney stretched the lead with two points, but the usually reliable Gilmore hit two uncharacteristic wides.

But the game was effectively sealed when McGee got the first of his two goals in the last five minutes to seal victory.

Luca McCusker got a late goal for Fermanagh who put up quite a battle but just did not have the necessary power of their more experienced opponents to pull off a shock.