Allianz National League Rd 2 – Leitrim v Fermanagh
Fermanagh 3-10
Leitrim 2-9
The scoreline flattered Fermanagh in this NFL Division 3 clash at Pairc Sean Mhic Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday.
The home side were five points to one ahead by the 23rd minute. Fermanagh kept in touch with points by Matthew Keenan, Martin McGrath and Martin Little. Then in the 35th minute a Declan Maxwell goal put Leitrim 1-5 to 0-4 ahead at the break.
Within two minutes of the resumption, Leitrim had extended their lead to eight points following a pointed free by Emlyn Mulligan and a second goal also by Mulligan, following yet another impressive move by the Leitrim forwards. However a lapse in concentration one minute later allowed Fermanagh back into the game when the unmarked Mark Murphy found himself in space and crashed the ball to the Leitrim net from 30 metres.
A second Fermanagh goal by Keenan in the 50th minute put the sides level and two further Fermanagh points without reply had them in sight of victory.
Despite their handicap, Leitrim were back on level terms with four minutes remaining following points from Emlyn Mulligan and Michael Foley to set up an exciting finale.
A further exchange of scores left just one point separating the sides three minutes into extra time. Leitrim threw everything into attack and losing possession were caught out when Fermanaghs Patrick Cadden finished to the net.
ScórERS — Fermanagh: M Keenan 1-4 (2f), P Cadden, M Murphy 1-0 each, M Little (0-2f),T McElroy 0-2 each, M McGrath,P Ward 0-1 each. Leitrim: E Mulligan 1-4 (4f),D Maxwell 1-2, M Foley 0-3.
Fermanagh — F Murphy, S Goan,R McCloskey, N Bogue, D Kelly, S Lyons, R Johnston, M McGrath, M Murphy, C McElroy, M Keenan, M Little, P Cadden, L McBarron, R Keenan. Subs: J McGurn for L McBarron,T McElroy for R Johnston, P Ward for R Kenan, N Keenan for J McGurn.
LEITRIM — E Lyons; D Reynolds, J McKeon, M McGuinness; G Reynolds,B McWeeney,S Foley; G McCloskey (Capt), M Duignan; C Regan, D Maxwell, M Foley,C Duignan,D Brennan,E Mulligan. Subs: D Duignan for C Regan, P McGuinness for C Duignan.
REF — R ODonnell (Donegal).
10-Mar-08 by Irish Independant.ie
