Fermanagh stand firm

Fermanagh 1-8 Armagh 1-6:FERMANAGH WILL go into their semi-final against trophy favourites Tyrone buoyed by three wins on the bounce in the competition but aware that they will now face their biggest test to date.

“You could hardly ask for a tougher challenge than to be playing Tyrone at this point in time but we view this as ideal preparation for the National League,” insists manager Malachy O’Rourke.

In overcoming Armagh at the Athletic Grounds yesterday, Fermanagh exhibited a healthy work ethic coupled with a tenacious spirit that could stand them in good stead against Mickey Harte’s ambitious young guns.

By the interval, Fermanagh looked to have defused Armagh’s challenge when they led by 1-4 to 0-2, a 27th minute goal from Ryan Jones cementing a solid team effort up until then.

Fermanagh, though, were knocked out of their stride when substitute Steven McDonnell swept in Armagh’s goal in the 54th minute and then converted three quickfire points from frees to leave just one point between the sides (1-7 to 1-6). Fermanagh held out in the closing stages during which substitute Ryan Carson stroked over a 71st minute point from a free to assure them of their mid-week meeting with their Red Hands neighbours.

Armagh manager Paddy O’Rourke said: “This team is a work in progress and we as management have learned a lot in the three games we have played this month. This will undoubtedly stand to us for the National League.”

FERMANAGH: Ronan Gallagher; N Bogue, S Lyons, M O’Brien; R Keenan, B Mulrone, P Sherry; R Jones (1-3, 0-1 free), T McIlroy; D Kelly, K Flaherty (0-2), P Gormley; P Ward, C O’Brien (0-1), J Connolly (0-1). Substitutes: Rory Gallagher for Ward (half-time), A McCarron for Gormley (43 min), R Foy for R Keenan (51), R Carson (0-1) for Kelly (60), M Keenan for Flaherty (63). Yellow cards: O’Brien (30 mins), Lyons (56), M Keenan (68), Carson (71).

ARMAGH: P Hearty; A Mallon, K Toner, P Duffy; S O’Neill, B Donaghy, F Moriarty; C Vernon, J Lavery; M Mackin (0-1), B Mallon (0-1, free), J O’Neill; M McNamee (0-1), R Clarke, J Feeney. Substitutes: G Swift for O’Neill (38 mins), P Kernan for S O’Neill (43), S McDonnell (1-3, 0-3 frees), for Feeney (49), R Austin for McNamee (50), R Henderson for B Mallon (65). Yellow cards: Toner (46 mins), Swift (49), Mackin (53), McDonnell (55), Clarke (56).

Referee: J Galligan (Cavan)