Fermanagh knock Royals out of Championship

Fermanagh 0-19 Meath 2-12 aet

Meath were dazzled by the northern lights for the third year in a row as Fermanagh dumped them out of the All-Ireland qualifiers series at Brewster Park.

In 2002 Donegal ended Meath's summer dreams at Croke Park and now Fermanagh have pulled off wins over the Royal County two years in a row.

But they had to do it the hard way this time and required a piece of genius from Colm Bradley to force the game into extra-time where they profited from Meath's tired legs to win out.

Meath hit two early goals from Daithi Regan to send them into the half-time break with a 2-4 to 0-8 advantage but it was later on when things really heated up.

In the second-half the sides were level four times in all but still Meath thought they had done enough to win as they led with four minute of injury time gone.

But the brilliant Bradley popped up to send over an amazing point from a sideline ball way out on the right of the field to force extra-time.

As if to rub salt into Meath wounds Bradley was the star man in extra-time too as his 0-2, both from placed balls, ultimately sent Meath crashing out of the All-Ireland championship in sensational fashion.

Meath: D Gallagher; N McKeigue, D Fay, M O'Reilly; P Reynolds, T O'Connor, T Giles (0-1; 0-1); N Crawford, A Moyles; E Kelly (0-2), C McCarthy, S Kenny; D Regan (2-6; 0-3f), S McKeigue, J Sheridan.

Subs.: O Murphy (0-1) for McCarthy 29, D Crimmins

(0-1) for McKeigue 50, N Kelly (0-1; 0-1f) for O'Connor 56, D Byrne for E Kelly 65, D Curtis for Regan 85, C McCarthy for Byrne 85.

Fermanagh: N Tinney; N Bogue, B Owens, H Brady; R Johnston, S McDermott, D O'Reilly (0-1); M McGrath, L McBarron; E Maguire (0-2), J Sherry (0-1), M Little (0-3); C O'Reilly (0-2), S Maguire (0-3; 0-1f), C Bradley (0-6; 0-2f).

Subs.: R McCluskey for McBarron 36, P Sherry for Owens 53, S Gaughan for O'Reilly 65, D McGrath (0-1) for S Maguire 72, C Boyle for Brady 79, E Sherry for C O'Reilly 81.

Referee: M Daly (Mayo).