ON THE SCORESHEET… Richard O’Callaghan
UUJ 3-15
Fermanagh 3-11
THE challenge game programme in preparation for the upcoming Dr McKenna Cup was completed on Sunday in Belfast with Fermanagh slipping to a four point defeat to third level side UUJ.
Again the opportunity was taken to run the rule over the panellists and there was to be wholesale changes in the personnel over the course of the contest.
Fermanagh were to put in their best effort in the opening half and they had an encouraging start to proceedings with a quick goal.
Breaking up a UUJ move in midfield, the ball was swiftly transferred through a number of players and it was Richard O’Callaghan who came in on the end to shoot home.
An early point had been notched by Paul McCusker and the team was in a promising enough position. Midway through the half UUJ hauled themselves back into the game with a goal.
At this stage of the contest matters were to be fairly evenly balanced the teams trading a stream of points to reach the interval level on a scoreboard of 1-7 each.
On the points trail for the Erne side had been Ronan Ormsby, Sean Quigley, Paul McCusker and Tiarnan Daly.
For the second half there had been a significant reshuffle in the Fermanagh lineout and they were to find themselves increasingly on the back foot as UUJ gained a firmer grip on matters. The students were to push out well ahead and Fermanagh were restricted to sporadic points.
It was not until late in the day that the Erne side managed to make a more forceful input, collecting two goals.
The goals came from Jason Love and Michael McAleer with earlier points coming from Ciaran McBrien.
The better performances for Fermanagh came from defenders John Woods in the full back line, Che Cullen at half back, Richard O’Callaghan in the middle of the park and second half substitute Ciaran McBrien also did well.