Allianz FL D2: Cork pip Fermanagh

Allianz Football League Division 2

CORK 1-14 FERMANAGH 0-16

By Gareth Cauldwell in Ederney

Maurice Shanley came up with a goal in added on time as Cork secured their first points in Division Two of the Allianz Football League with a one-point victory over Fermanagh in Ederney.

Indeed, the goal was the first time that John Cleary’s Cork side had led in the game and they were able to see it out from there to secure a slender win as things tightened up in the bottom half of the table.

It was the home side who had played the better football in the opening period of the game as points from Sean Cassidy and Garvan Jones edged them in front before Sean McNally drilled over a 45 after Cork goalkeeper Christopher Kelly had pushed a Shane McGullion effort around the post.

Brian Hurley opened the Cork account from a free in the 14^th minute but Fermanagh answered straight away through Sean Cassidy.

Hurley and Jones then traded points before a further Hurley point from a free left it a two point game, 0-5 to 0-3.

Fermanagh though were continuing to enjoy the better of the exchanges and Jones landed a good score from the left before captain Declan McCusker banged over a mark to push the home side into 0-7 to 0-3 advantage.

The away side though finished the half well as Conor Corbett converted a mark and a superb sideline effort while Hurley clipped over another free.

Indeed, it required a good stop by Fermanagh goalkeeper McNally to deny Ian Maguire but with McCusker sending over his second point Fermanagh went in at the interval with a two point lead, 0-8 to 0-6.

Cork began the second half with more purpose and Hurley knocked over a close range free while Chris Og Jones lobbed over after McNally had saved from O’Callaghan to tied up matters.

Fermanagh though responded and McCusker and McGullion tagged on points to put them two clear.

I was tit for tat over the next period with Hurley adding to his tally with two more frees while Ultan Kelm and Jones were on target for Kieran Donnelly’s charges.

When Jones fired over again it put Fermanagh, who had to replace goalkeeper McNally after he picked up an injury – into a three point lead, 0-13 to 0-10.

Cork though were threatening and full back Daniel O’Mahony had a rasping drive come back off the crossbar.

With Matty Taylor and Jones swapping points the three-point lead remained for Fermanagh and with 67 minutes on the clock they looked well placed to take the win.

However, Cork continued to push and Ian Maguire and Steven Sherlock knocked over to leave it a one point game heading into added on time.

Fermanagh did have a chance to wrap the game when McGullion got in on goal but his shot was saved by Kelly and Cork broke down the other end to bag the key score of the encounter.

Ruairi Deane got in on the left hand side and fed the ball across the goal where Shanley was waiting to palm home.

With Hurley then drilling over another free it put Cork into a 1-14 to 0-14 lead but Fermanagh rallied and McGullion and Jones slotted over scores.

However, time ran out for the home side as Cork were able to hold on to secure a crucial win.

Scorers for Cork: B Hurley 0-8 (7f), M Shanley 1-0, C Corbett 0-2 (1m, 1sl), M Taylor 0-1, I Maguire 0-1, C Og Jones 0-1, S Sherlock 0-1 (m)

Scorers for Fermanagh: G Jones 0-7 (3f), D McCusker 0-3 (1m), S Cassidy 0-2, S McGullion 0-2, S McNally 0-1 (45), U Kelm 0-1

FERMANAGH: S McNally; L Cullen, C Cullen, O Smyth; D McCusker, S McGullion, J Largo Elis; B Horan, J McDade; C McGee, R McCaffrey, C McShea; U Kelm, G Jones, S Cassidy. Subs: R Bogue for McNally (50), D King for Cassidy (65), C Jones for Magee (68), J Reihill for Kelm (70+5), J McMahon for McGullion (70+5)

CORK: C Kelly; K Flahive, D O’Mahony, T Walsh; D Cashman, R Maguire, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; E McSweeney, C Corbett, B O’Driscoll; M Cronin, B Hurley, C Og Jones. Subs: L Fahy for Cashman (h/t), R Deane for Cronin (h/t), S Powter for McSweeney (49), M Shanley for Walsh (58), S Sherlock for Jones (63)