Fairytale Fermanagh reach All-Ireland semi-final

Fermanagh 0-12 Armagh 0-11

As fairy tales go, you won't get much better than this.

Tom Brewster's remarkable winning point in the fourth minute of stoppage time stunned the All-Ireland favourites, Armagh down and out, and surely the end of an era

Simply breathtaking, almost challenging belief, little Fermanagh are in the All-Ireland football semi-final, and how they deserved their most glorious hour.

The arrival of the Tyrone and Mayo teams for the second game in the Croke Park double bill was delayed by the sort of delirious pitch invasion normally reserved for Al-Ireland finals, but no-one would dare begrudge these success-starved Erne supporters the most unexpected of celebrations.

A tight, tense battle threatened to got to a replay, as 14-man Armagh struggled to cope with the feverish commitment of the underdogs.

But in the end, it all came down to raw courage, a steely determination and a refusal to bow to the great reputations of once great men.

Fermanagh, yes Fermanagh, are now preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final, and football fever is about to engulf Lakeland.

Steven McDonnell had the ball over the bar four times inside the opening 10 minutes as Armagh made a thumping start.

Fermanagh were struggling to cope with the sheer physical strength of Joe Kernan's side, and with McDonnell and strike partner Ronan Clarke a constant threat, the pre-match predictions of a heavy defeat for the Erne side appeared to be spot on.

But all that changed once Charlie Mulgrew's side began to rediscover the courage and desire that had carried them to wonderful victories over Meath, Cork and Donegal.

Barry Owens. Ryan McCluskey and Shane McDermott tightened things up at the back, and Martin McGrath and Liam McBarron began to get a grip on the crucial midfield battle.

Once Colm Bradley swept over their opening score on 10 minutes, Fermanagh believed they could do it.

Fearless, positive and intelligent in their use of possession, they were inspired by a superb James Sherry score which brought them to within a point of the All-Ireland favourites.

And when Colm Bradley levelled the game at 0-6 each from a '45' on 22 minutes, Croker rocked.

Battling for every ball as if lives were dependent on it, Fermanagh had their opponents seriously rattled.

Stephen Maguire brought his tally to five with his first score from play, and it was barely believable, the Erne minnows ahead by two points as half-time approached.

And it got worse for Armagh. Moments after Diarmuid Marsden had punched Clarke's delivery against the crossbar, they were down to 14 men, corner back Enda McNulty receiving a straight red card from Longford referee John Bannon for a reckless high challenge on McGrath.

Fermanagh led by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break, but the sides were level within four minutes of the restart, McDonnell and Paddy McKeever, from a free, on target in the early stages.

And when Kieran McGeeney, now enjoying the freedom to push forward following the introduction of Andy Mallon, thumped over an inspirational score from far out on the left wing, Armagh fans were singing again.

But the elusive Eamon Maguire jinked through to bring Fermanagh level for the third time, and as Armagh asserted themselves again, the Erne defence succeeded in putting he shackles on an increasingly frustrated Armagh forward unit.

Clarke, still scoreless after more than an hour, was substituted, but Oisin McConville, kept out of the starting 15 by injury, came into the game to shoot his side's first point in 15 minutes.

Fermanagh's own super-sub Tom Brewster angled over another equaliser to set the game up for a gripping finish with barely seven minutes to play.

It was Fermanagh who held sway at this stage, but poor shooting robbed them of the chance to go back in front.

They shot eight second half wides to Armagh's two, but it was Brian Mallon who had the best chance to steal it for the Orchard county, but he sliced his shot badly wide.

The quality may not have been the best, but that didn't matter to Fermanagh, who staged a wonderful finish, two late Brewster points giving them the biggest victory in the county's history.