Fermanagh grind out win against Wexford

Fermanagh 1-12 Wexford 1-8

Fermanagh made it through to the second round of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers in a scrappy game at Clones today.

James Sherry’s early goal laid the foundations for victory, but manager Charlie Mulgrew will be somewhat concerned at his side’s failure to dominate a disappointing Wexford side.

A sensational start saw both sides hit goals inside the opening three minutes.

First Ciaran O’Reilly crossed from the left for Sherry to palm home, but Fermanagh joy lasted for less than a minute, with Redmond Barry blasting in a goal at the other end.

But it was the Erne men, with O’Reilly striking accurately from frees, who were by far the more potent attacking force.

His fourth conversion made it 1-5 to 1-2 after 25 minutes, with Mattie Forde hitting both the Leinster side’s points from frees.

Forde struggled to escape the shackles of the excellent Shane Goan, and Wexford’s only point from play in the half came in stoppage time from Ciaran Lyng.

By that time, with the help of a couple of Ryan Keenan strikes and a superb Eamon Maguire effort, Fermanagh led by 1-7 to 1-4.

Another sublime Maguire score stretched the advantage, but with full-back Brian Malone holding the Wexford defence together, the Ulster men struggled for scores.

Paul Bealin’s attack was largely ineffective. Defenders Philip Wallace and Adrian Morrisey pressed forward to hit points, but Forde was never able to get into the game, and was called ashore 12 minutes from the end.

Nevertheless, just five points separated the sides when Erne goalkeeper Chris Breen pulled off a wonderful save from Paddy Byrne.

Substitute Sean Doherty steadied the Erne ship with a couple of late points, and Mulgrew’s men held out for a deserved win.

Fermanagh: C Breen, S Goan, B Owens, N Bogue, P Sherry, S McDermott, T McElroy; L McBarron, M Murphy, M Little (0-1), J Sherry (1-0), E Maguire (0-2), C McElroy, C O'Reilly (0-4, 4 frees), R Keenan (0-2).

Subs: T Brewster (0-1, free) for McBarron, R Johnston for McElroy, S Doherty (0-2) for Keenan, D O’Reilly for Owens

Wexford: J Cooper, C Morris, B Malone, N Murphy, A Morrissey (0-1), P Wallace (0-1), G Sunderland, R Stafford, P Colfer, C Deely, R Barry (1-0), A Flynn, C Lyng (0-2, 1 free), P O’Dwyer, M Forde (0-3, 3 frees).

Subs: D Fogarty (0-1) for O’Dwyer, P Byrne for Deely, D O’Connor for Sunderland, S Roche for Forde

Referee: R Hickey (Clare).