Footballers Almost Salvage A Draw in Fermanagh

Allianz Football League Division 3: Fermanagh 1-13, Offaly 3-06

Offaly almost came back from the dead to snatch a draw against Fermanagh in Ederney on Sunday, but had to settle for a one point defeat.

The harm was done in the first half as Offaly trailed at the break by 1-10 to 1-01, having played with the aid of a breeze.

But the lads regrouped at the interval and took the game to Fermanagh, ultimately being unlucky not to snatch a draw in the closing stages, including when denied a free in late on.

Offaly’s only scorers in the opening half were a goal from Cillian Bourke, in reply to an early goal for Fermanagh, and a ‘45’ by Paddy Dunican. But the Faithful County were on the back foot for most of the opening 35 minutes.

The outlook improved early in the second half when Dylan Hyland poked the ball to the net after a Keith O’Neill penalty was saved. Not long after, Cormac Egan burst through for Offaly’s third goal and suddenly the deficit was manageable.

Offaly dominated possession for long periods of the half, and did add points from Keith O’Neill, Dylan Hyland and Daire McDaid, but just couldn’t equalise despite piling on the pressure.

Next weekend, Offaly have another long journey to Ballinamore to face Leitrim.

Fermanagh: Sean MacNally, Lee Cullen, Che Cullen, Fionan O’Brien; Jonny Cassidy, Declan McCusker (1-01), Ronan McCaffrey (0-01); Oisin Smyth (0-01) Darragh McGurn (0-02); Shane McGullion, Ryan Lyons(0-01) Paul Breen; Josh Largo Ellis (0-01), Garvan Jones (0-04, 2f) Conor Love (0-02). Subs: Brandon Horan for Darragh McGurn (46), Oisin Murphy for Ryan Lyons (54) Conor McGee for Shane McGullion (57).

Offaly: Paddy Dunican (0-01, 145); Lee Pearson, Shane O’Toole, Rory Egan; Aidan Bracken, John Furlong, Cormac Egan; (1-00) Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes; Cillian Bourke (1-00), Cathal Flynn, Keith O’Neill (0-03, 3f); Dylan Hyland (1-01), Jack Bryant, Shane Tierney. Subs: Nigel Dunne for Jack Bryant (48), Daire McDaid (0-01) for Shane O’Toole (52), Kyle Higgins for Cillian Bourke (54).

Referee: Kevin Faloon (Armagh)