June 29 - SFC qualifier: Fermanagh eliminate Cavan from qualifiers
There was no fluke about this result, as Fermanagh dominated, especially in the second half, and were full value for their success.
They also accomplished this victory without their key midfielder Paul Brewster, who didn't start the game but was introduced in the closing stages. Also absent was key corner back Michael Lilley.
Despite all these setbacks, Fermanagh, following their heavy defeat by Down, came bouncing back and, through the shrewd management of Dom Corrigan, had Cavan on the backfoot for much of the game.
In the early stages, there was little between the teams, and the scores were level on three occasions. However, in the second quarter Fermanagh took a firm grip, and points from Raymond Gallagher, James Sherry, gave them a 0-7 to 0-3 lead with ten minutes of the first half remaining.
Then, out of the blue, Cavan hit back and Jason Reilly, with a vital goal, put Cavan right back in contention. By half time, Fermanagh's lead was reduced to one point: 0-8 to 1-4.
In the second half, Cavan made quite a good start, and took the lead after nine minutes. However, Fermanagh lifted their game and took complete control of most sectors of the field.
The forwards scored four points without reply, to give the Erne county a three-point lead.
Cavan looked in serious trouble at this stage, and were disorganised in defence and overrun in midfield.
While Dermot McCabe added a point from a free, there was no stopping Fermanagh, and points from Stephen Maguire, Martin McGrath and Ryan Keenan left Cavan trailing by four points, with five minutes left.
While Cavan put in a late spurt, with a point each from Dermot McCabe and Pearse McKenna to leave only two points between the sides, it would have been a travesty of justice had Cavan snatched victory, and, as the final seconds ticked away, Fermanagh emphasised their superiority with the last score of the game from Colin Bradley.
