Barry Smyth cuts inside Chris Cross as Fermanagh press forward
THERE was a jubilant air around Brewster Park on Sunday following Fermanagh’s revenge win over Tyrone hurlers in the opening round of the National League, Division 3A.
And, at the same time, there was an appreciation of games looming against Louth (away), on 10th March; Donegal, at home, Fingal, in Croke Park (23rd March), and Monaghan, at home.
Fermanagh’s new captain, John Duffy said it was ‘the start we were looking for’.
“It’s not a 15-man team any more, it’s a squad, and at the start of the year, we knew we had it in us. It was the start we needed. Tyrone have out us out, last year and the year before. The win put a mark on the year in that we don’t want to get relegated, rather to stay in the division, if not getting higher.”
Duffy himself played a captain’s part, a fact acknowledged by colleagues and management alike.
Joint manager, Seamus McCusker admitted that, in the first half, Fermanagh were ‘rusty’.
“We settled them down at halftime and the second-half was a powerhouse display led by John Duffy in the middle. And, there were several young debutants, Niall Carson (defender) and Martin Beggan, ‘super sub’, came on and stuck the all in the net.
“I thought young Sean Corrigan was exceptional the way he led the line and it was his intelligent ball across that Martin got the goal from.”
Among the ‘old heads’, former captain, Gus Bannon described it, ‘not a great performance, but a good result’. And, Andrew Breslin welcomed the fact that he now had ‘plenty of young boys’ around him.
“It spurs you on and, touch wood, if any one keeps injury free, we will push on.”
Fellow defender, Eoin Mahon (Lisnaskea) reported a lot of competition for places in the full-back line.
“But, that drives you on to make sure you cement your place. I thought the team played very well. We knew we had the fitness and that, if we came close in the last 10 minutes, we could win it.”
Ryan Bogue felt it all came good for Fermanagh in the second-half.
“It was our first game in the league but, after half time, we settled it down a wee bit and came out with all guns blazing. I don’t know how Martin got in for the goal, but no defender saw him, Sean played a good ball across and he made no mistake.”
For Rory Porteous, it was his first competitive county game after a 5-month lay off with a recurring foot injury.
“Definitely happy. We wanted the two points. That was the main thing.”
Sean Corrigan said it was a case of, ‘trying to keep the scores ticking over’:
“We knew, when we went in at halftime, that our fitness would come through. Martin Beggan came on and took his goal brilliantly. It’s good to get off to a winning start.”
Everyone we spoke to were concerned at the knee injury late on sustained by Barry Smyth as he dived in to block.
As Sean Corrigan put it, ‘he put his leg where you wouldn’t put a hurl.”
Seamus McCusker described Barry as, ‘a tiger around midfield’: “He’s the type of player who’ll give you 110 per cent. It was a do or die tackle, and Barry is not one to shy away from them.”