Fermanagh's fightback against Down falls just short

So close and yet so far!

For if heartache had a colour, it would certainly be the green jerseys of brave Fermanagh in a thriller in Brewster Park on Monday night.

On paper, it looked like a mammoth task to begin with as Down had drawn with a gifted Tyrone side who are in Wednesday’s Ulster final against Derry.

And that spectre seemed inevitable when a cracking Down goal 10 seconds into the second half put them into a 1-05 to 0-03 advantage.

But, instead of buckling they hit back with 1-01. The introduction of substitute, Michael Burns, was crucial in this and Fermanagh took control of most of the final quarter.

They deserved at least a draw, but four bad wides were to prove crucial.

And a previously lively Down were glad to cling on for the narrowest of victories.

Down, who drew with Ulster U20 finalists Tyrone looked to have sealed this affair 10 seconds into the second half when Nathan Rogers scored a wonder goal to put them into a 1-05 to 0-03 lead.

But spirited Fermanagh hit back with a goal of their own when team captain Sean Conlon palmed a Michael Burns cross to the net in the 43rd minute.

But the Ernesiders went on to hit four wides which were to prove heart-breaking as they chased an equaliser.

But, on the other hand, it took two top-class saves from Fermanagh keeper Shea Mulligan to deny Down certain goals. 

Fermanagh opened the scoring with a superb point from the sideline from Mattie McDermott in the third minute.

Down were making probing runs and Cian Cunningham punched a levelling point after Jamie Doran appeared to bounce the ball twice.

Ryan Quinn put Down ahead but this was cancelled by a mark won by Erne captain Sean Conlon, which was converted.

Exchanges were even but the home side lost cornerback Cal McAnespie to a black card for a rash challenge on a Down player.

It was advantage Down but Fermanagh’s Kealan Fitzpatrick put his side into the lead with another corker from an acute angle in the 15th minute.

But it was Down who were making all the moves and Emmett Rogers pointed from a free to level matters again in the 20th minute.

McAnespie came back on but the swift-moving Down lads were still in the ascendancy and Tom McCarron arced over a fine point as Fermanagh were restricted to sporadic raids.

And Jamie Doran made it 0-05 to 0-03 at the break with a fine point.

Rogers hit the net after a superb six-man move to put his side 1-05 to 0-03 in front after the restart.

It looked grim for the home side but a point from Fitzpatrick -their first in 22 minutes - sparked their comeback.

And Conlon’s palmed goals left just a point between the sides.

The home side were dominant but hit four bad wides as Down edged further in front from Cormac O’Reilly.

But Fermanagh’s impressive sub, Burns left the minimum margin between the sides as time ticked away.

However, they hit two more wides as Down hung on for victory.

Fermanagh: S Mulligan; C McAnespie, S McCarron, A Callaghan; J McCaffrey, J Flanagan (0-01), C Brennan; L Feely, L Donnelly; K Fitzpatrick (0-02,1f), C O’Brien, D Owens; M McDermott (0-01), S Conlon (1-01,1m), J Quinlan.

Subs: L MacEnri for McAnespie (ht), M Burns (0-01) for Feely (35), R Duffy for O’Brien (51), S Deazley for McCaffrey (56). 

Down: N Rice; M Murray, F Murdock, M McSwiggan; D Rafferty, C Cunnigham (0-01), D Ruddy; T McCarroll (0-01), S Carr; R Quinn (0-01), J Doran (0-01), N Rogers (1-00); D Scullion, E Rogers (0-01) D Milligan.

Subs: L Quinn for Milligan (35), R Kelly for Rogers (45), T Gilroy for Quinn (46), C O’Reilly (0-01) for Rogers (50), M Murdock for Scullion (52).

Referee: Ryan Walsh (Donegal)