Fermanagh take firm control

NFL Fermanagh 2-13 Monaghan 0-13: Following their slip-up against Longford in a game they dominated for long periods Fermanagh made no mistake in Scotstown yesterday and had the points wrapped up some time before the finish.

Goals did the trick for Fermanagh - they scored two in the first half and denied Monaghan their best chance when goalkeeper Niall Tinney got down to deflect a penalty by Rory Woods over the bar 15 minutes into the second half.

Those events, allied to a purple patch between the fifth and 12th minutes of the second half when Fermanagh hit six points without reply to go from being level for the second time in the game to six in front, were the crucial elements in this vital victory.

Fermanagh's running off the ball and support play was superb with Ryan Keenan and Mark Little causing Monaghan all sorts of problems. Fermanagh led at half-time by 2-2 to 0-7, Ryan Keenan and Colum Bradley getting the Fermanagh goals in the 13th and 30th minutes respectively after Monaghan had gone three in front.

The second half saw Fermanagh take increasing control despite the loss of Martin McGrath on a yellow card.

The closest Monaghan came after the break was within four points after 17 minutes but Fermanagh stepped on the gas again and rattled over three points without reply to push the game beyond the home team.

FERMANAGH: N Tinney; S Goan, B Owens, N Bogue; R Johnson, S McDermott, S Burns; M McGrath, L McBarron; R Keenan (1-0), T Brewster (0-6), M Little; C Bradley (1-0), Rory Gallagher (0-3), A Little (0-1). Subs: M Murphy (0-1) for L McBarron, F Reilly (0-1) for M McGrath, Raymond Gallagher for C Bradley, S Maguire for Rory Gallagher.

MONAGHAN: S Duffy; G McQuaid, J Coyle, C Flanagan; D Freeman, R Ronaghan, J Ward (0-1); J McElroy, M Daly; D McArdle (0-2), P Finlay (0-6), S Gollogly, T Freeman (0-1), F Duffy, R Woods (0-2). Subs: D Mone (0-1) for J Coyle (yellow card), V Corey for J McElroy, K Sheerin for S Gollogly, J Conlon for G McQuaid, D McKernan for D Freeman (yellow card).

YELLOW CARDS: Fermanagh: M McGrath. Monaghan: J Coyle, D Freeman, G McQuaid.

Referee: A McAlynn (Derry).