Hurling: Fermanagh 2-13 South Down 4-15

South Down needed the assistance of the PSNI to find their way to Enniskillen on the 12th of July to play Fermanagh in the Nicky Rackard All-Ireland Hurling Championship. During the first half in Brewster Park they could have done with more police help in finding the Fermanagh posts.

By half time they had scored an embarrassing total of just five points. Artie McGuinness opened the scoring with a fine point from play and John Murphy added two more from long range frees. Liam Deegan, who had come on as a blood substitute for Dan Morgan, made good use of his time on the pitch with a well-taken point from a man who normally plays corner back. A point from a John Brown free in injury time completed Down’s first half tally.

Fermanagh, meanwhile were on fire. After 15 minutes they had five points on the board, including two from frees. Two minutes later they scored the all-important goal, despite a good save from Gary McMullan who stopped the ball only to see a Fermanagh stick flick it to the net. Fermanagh then added another five points, including four from frees to leave them ahead at half-time by 1-10 to 0-5.

At that stage South Down looked a well-beaten team but whatever manager, Paddy Braniff, said at half-time had the desired effect.
He brought on Kieran Sloan and Liam Morgan for Micheál McCartan and Karl Maxwell, both of whom had been trying hard against a strong breeze and a poor supply of ball.

In the next 11 minutes the Mourne men scored four goals and the match was effectively over. Dan Morgan, his brother Liam and Eoin McGuinness all found the net with some clever and determined play.
But what really broke Fermanagh’s hearts was an Alan Higgins free from deep in his own half, which was carried on the breeze all the way to the Fermanagh net.

Even a Fermanagh goal 15 minutes from the end failed to curb Down’s scoring spree. There were points from John Brown, Liam Morgan, the McGuinness brothers, Eoin and Artie, and Kieran Sloan who was back on the panel after a long lay-off. They ran out easy winners in the end by eight points and they now find themselves in an all-Ireland quarter final in their first season playing at national level.

In spite of the winning second half performance the poor showing in the first half will cause the management some concern. During this period the full forward line were starved of ball. The halfback line and midfield won only 2 puck outs with clean catches and with the exception of Rory Matthews the half forwards were not winning the breaking ball.

South Down had a similar start in their last match against Leitrim.
Who ever they play in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals next week cannot be allowed to pull away so far before half time. Few of the remaining teams are likely to be as forgiving as Fermanagh were today.

Team: Gary McMullan, James McGrath, Brian McAleenan, Paul McCusker, David McGovern, Daniel McCusker (Capt.), Alan Higgins (1-1, frees), John Murphy (0-2, frees), Artie McGuinness (0-2), John Brown (0-2, frees), Daniel Morgan (1-0), Karl Maxwell, Micheál McCartan, Eoin McGuinness (1-2), Ruairi Matthews.
Subs: Kieran Sloan (0-2) and Liam Morgan (1-3, 0-2 frees) for McCartan and Maxwell (half-time); Liam Deegan (0-1) for Daniel McCusker (55mins.); Michael Murphy for McGovern (67 mins.)