Fermanagh 2-18
Derry 4-7
Fermanagh ladies booked their place in the All-Ireland semi-final but with London still to play on Sunday, Erne manager, CJ McGourty has one aim – to top the group, after what he described as “not our best performance” on Wednesday night, against the Oak Leafers.
Eimear Smyth was a shining light on a night when Fermanagh failed to fully ignite.
The Derrygonnelly forward kicked 14 points (8 frees) and set up the first Fermanagh goal as McGourty’s side stumbled into the last four.
“Me being the harsh person that I am, she (Eimear Smyth) could have had 2-14, 2-15, we’re always trying to push her but 14 points at any level of any sport is just incredible.
“She’s always wanting to improve and get better and she’s an unbelievable human being which counts for a lot, so we’re just very, very lucky to have her about,” he said.
On any night though, 2-18 is a good return but at the opposite end, conceding four goals, two in either half, will be something they’ll want to address going forward.
The teams traded scores and it was 0-4 apiece ten minutes in with Eimear Smyth getting all Fermanagh’s scores (0-3f). Two apiece from Derry’s Emma Doherty (2 frees) and Leah McGonagle getting them up and running.
Smyth and Doherty added further frees before Derry’s Dara McKeever turned and shot past Megan Maguire for the first goal of the match and made it 0-5 to 1-5.
The visitors stretched their lead through a Leah Casey point as the home side struggled at times and were guilty of coughing up possession.
Blaithín Bogue had a brilliant chance for goal but her outside of the boot shot hit the post.
Smyth danced her way through for another score but a second goal for Derry, this time from Leah McGonagle, was a real sucker-punch to leave the home side trailing 0-6 to 2-6.
On the half hour mark, a free from Eimear Smyth followed by a brilliant pass to her sister set up the Erne side’s first goal. Bronagh picked her spot perfectly giving Fermanagh less of a hill to climb in the second half, on 1-7 to 2-6.
McGourty said he gave the girls a “fair sharpening up” at half time and it seemed to work as they tagged on six unanswered points. Bláithin Bogue, Eimear Smyth (0-3,1f), substitute Danielle Maguire and Brenda Bannon all on target.
But again, Derry responded with a goal from McGonagle to reduce the deficit to a point, 1-13 to 3-6.
In the final quarter Fermanagh outscored their opponents 1-5 to 1-1. A brilliant block from Blaíthín Bogue saw the Tempo player gather possession and she made no mistake, burying it to the net on 46 minutes.
Further Smyth points kept the scoreboard moving and while it looked like Fermanagh had enough in the tank, they’ll be disappointed to have conceded a fourth goal from Ciara McGurk.
Despite losing Blaíthín Bogue to a sin-binning, the impressive Danielle Maguire kicked a fine score, her second of the game, and fittingly Eimear Smyth had the final say with a point from play.
Fermanagh play London in Killeshil in the final round this Sunday at 2pm.
TEAMS
Fermanagh; Megan Maguire, Stephanie Gunn, Molly McGloin, Eimear Keenan, Shannan McQuade [c] Courteney Murphy, Lisa Maguire, Brenda Bannon (0-1), Cadhla Cara Bogue, Niamh McManus, Joanne Doonan, Aoife McCabe, Blaíthín Bogue (1-1), Eimear Smyth (0-14, 8f), Bronagh Smyth (1-0). Subs: Danielle Maguire (0-2) for N.McManus (HT), Eimear McMahon for A. McCabe (50), Sara Rose Britton for S. Gunn (55), Roísín O’Reilly for B.Smyth (55).
Derry; Ellie Conway, Hannah Mullan, Aoife McGough, Joanne Corr [c], Claithin Donnelly, Ciara McGurk (1-0), Sarah Hargan, Caoimhe, Lea Casey (0-1), Erin Doherty, Dara McKeever (1-0), Anna Martin, Emma Doherty (0-3f), Cora Donnelly, Leah McGonagle (2-3). Subs; Kate Holly for L.Casey (41), Orlaith McGough for J.Corr (49)
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