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Fermanagh subs swing it

FERMANAGH - 1-14 CLARE - 1-8: Raymond Gallagher, who came on as a substitute at half-time, was Fermanagh's hero yesterday

Mon Feb 11 2002 - 00:00

FERMANAGH - 1-14 CLARE - 1-8:Raymond Gallagher, who came on as a substitute at half-time, was Fermanagh's hero yesterday. He scored four valuable points and his mere presence lifted the side after they had gone behind 1-5 to 1-3 at the start of the second half.

Fermanagh got off to a great start when Rory Gallagher pointed a free before scoring a splendid goal in the fourth minute. However, he undid his good work seven minutes later when he fluffed a penalty kick. Clare took full advantage of this let-off and corner forward Stephen Hickey beat the goalkeeper from close range for their goal.

With half back Mark O'Connell and midfielder Donal O'Sullivan dominating, Clare built on this goal and led 1-4 to 1-3 at half-time.

The introduction of Raymond Gallagher provided the incentive that Fermanagh badly needed to get back into the game. He provided the pass for Kieran Donnelly to score his second point after excellent work by Fermanagh's outstanding defender Neil Cox.

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Midfielder Ger Quinlan added two points to restore Clare's two-point lead but Fermanagh had more tricks up their sleeves and the introduction of Colm Bradley immediately paid off when he played a one-two with Gallagher for another point.

Fermanagh were now in almost complete control. They were adapting much better in the heavy conditions; Paul Brewster at midfield was having a massive game; and Gallagher, Bradley from an acute angle and the Brewster brothers, Tom and Paul, hit the match-winning points.

FERMANAGH: Ronan Gallagher; B Owens, K Gunne, P Courtney; N Cox, J Gilheaney, N Keenan; P Brewster (0-1), L McBarron; R Johnston, Rory Gallagher (1-1), T Brewster (0-2); R McCabe, S Maguire (0-2), S McCabe. Subs: K Donnelly (0-3) for Johnston, C Courtney for McBarron, C Bradley (0-1) for S McCabe, M Greene for C Courtney, Raymond Gallagher (0-4) for R McCabe.

CLARE: E Slattery; P Gallagher, B Considine, P Smith; M O'Connell, R Gibbons, R Slattery; D O'Sullivan, G Quinlan (0-2), D O'Driscoll, D Russell (0-2), M O'Shea; S Hickey (1-0), P Hehir (0-3), C Mullen (0-1). Subs: N Hawes for R Slattery, M Keane for O'Driscoll, J Mooney for O'Shea, D Ryan for Mullen.