February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Fermanagh 2-15, Tyrone 0-8
Fermanagh¹s second victory of the season in this junior football Div. A clash, even at this early stage of the season, puts them in good stead for a decent run at playoff contention.
Raymond Gallagher appeared on a sanction from the Ulster side’s Irish counterparts, and the Erneman had a huge say in the outcome of the tie, hitting some fine scores over the bar for his adopted side. Hitting an early three points for his team, Gallagher gave Fermanagh a decent lead midway through the first half, and it appeared that Tyrone were clearly on the ropes. A goal inevitably followed from the boot of Gallagher, and Tyrone trailed by six points.
Tyrone¹s backline reassembled somewhat to prevent Gallagher and his teammate up front, Garret McLoughlin, from inflicting too much damage, and they hit back with points from Ray Higney and Brian McGarrity to give the scoreline an air of respectability.
Fermanagh got their scoring act together once more however, and soon racked up more points from the excellent McLoughlin, and another from Darren Doherty, playing his first of two games of the afternoon.
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Leading by nine points going into the interval, there was never really any doubt as to the eventual outcome of the tie.
Duke Devlin, the Tyrone stalwart, appeared for his side in the second half, and prompted something of a rally, banging in two points early in the half.
Ray Higney added another, to suggest that Tyrone were fighting back, though the sheer power of the Fermanagh forward line forced through, and continued to rack up the scores.
Fermanagh eventually ran out as 13 point victors, and nobody could really argue that they didn¹t deserve the victory. They currently stand as kingpins of the group, and despite a number of tough games coming up against the likes of Rangers, it will be difficult to knock this fine Ulster side from their lofty perch
Tyrone: Shane Gallagher, BJ Donaghy, Stephen Nixon, Darren Diffin, Aidan Lloyd, Peter Devlin (0-1), Shane Devlin, Ray Higney (0-3), Enda Donnelly, Brian McLoughlin, Justin Murray, Barry McNamee, Declan Coltan, Brian McGarritty (0-1), Joe Corrigan (0-1). Sub: Duke Devlin (0-2).
Fermanagh: Paul Maguire, Noel McGovern, Sean Melly, Phelim Campbell, Marty McGlade, Neil Cox, Pádraig Monaghan, Paul McGuirk, Darren Doherty (1-1), Garret McLoughlin (0-5), Raymond Gallagher (1-7), Martin Moss, Brian Shannon (0-1), Joe Egan (0-1), Lorcan Kennedy.
Man of the match: Raymond Gallagher (Fermanagh).