By Pierce O’Reilly
Fermanagh 2-6, Tyrone 1-8
After a poor start, Fermanagh built inexorably toward a storming climax to stun Tyrone in the opening game at Gaelic Park on Sunday. Despite a blistering start, Tyrone were unable to overcome Fermanagh’s late show. The clock showed less than a minute when live wire Colm Shannon pounced for the all-important score. Shannon sidestepped the full back with time up to drive a pile-driver to the roof of the net for the winning score. He had tormented the Tyrone defense from start to finish and it was fitting that the Erne man was once again on hand to lift his side over the finish line in front.
Tyrone, with Justin Murray and Enda Donnelly outstanding in the opening half, led at the interval 1-6 to 1-1. The Red Handers were by far the more constructive side, and with Niall Cogan lording it around the middle, they deserved their early advantage. Justin Murray hit their opening score of the half, and with Mark Daly hitting the onion bag midway through, Tyrone looked like kick starting their season.
Fermanagh, meanwhile, were lethargic in this period. They wasted several chance,s and when they did attack, they lacked cohesiveness and conviction. Steven Owens, their best player, did keep them in touch with a opportunist goal and a late point, but he lacked support for long periods.
The second half was much more exciting and entertaining. The Erne men hit early points from Owens, and Shannon to narrow the gap and put the rally in full swing. It was a ding-dong battle from here to the end, with both sides swapping points. Tyrone held the advantage with the clocking entering its final moments, and then up stepped Colm Shannon to stun the leaders. Fermanagh were lucky.
Never miss an issue of The Irish Echo
Subscribe to one of our great value packages.
Fermanagh: Alan Beaty, Kiaran Donnelly, Noel McGovern, Colm Walsh, Keith Mulhern, Kieran Lee, Steve Keating, Steven Owens, Sean Mellee, Steven Quinn, Marty McGlade, Gerry Murphy, Paul Maguire, Joe Egan, Lawrence Kennedy, Cormac Leonard, Colm Shannon, Barry Shannon, Sean Moore.
Tyrone: Shane Gallagher, Ray Higney, Steve Nixon, Ronan McAleese, Marty McMahon, Enda Dunne, Liam Biordy, Niall Cogan, Mark Daly, Eoin Farrell, Justin Murray, Peter McNamee, Ciaran Brannigan, Joe Firt, Barry McNamee.