Ronan Ormsby, Fermanagh, tackled by Michael Brosnan, Limerick. Picture credit: Conor Wyse
Limerick 1-6
Fermanagh 0-18
After suffering two disappointing defeats and then have the turmoil of an internal bust up that saw the departure of prominent players, Fermanagh couldn’t have made the lengthy trip to Limerick last Sunday in particularly buoyant mood.
That would have been leavened however with a resolute attitude to turn matters around despite the troubles that were besetting them.
And out of adversity the team hammered out a hugely encouraging victory as they shrugged off those recent reversals and this impressive win now gives the side every chance of securing their third division status.
“We went down,” commented assistant manager Raymond Johnson, “with determination to collect two points and having done that the long road back home was an enjoyable one.”
Johnson enthused about the manner of the team’s overall performance, a performance that was laced with some top notch individual contributions.
None more so than that of Tomás Corrigan in the front line of the attack who finished the day with an impressive haul of ten points, five of these coming from open play.
Back in the defence, which has been the subject of come criticism of late due to coughing up hefty scorelines, there was a collectively rock solid display which restricted the opposing attack to a mere handful of scores.
The half back line comprised of Declan McCusker, Ryan McCluskey and Tommy McElroy formed a major barrier all the way through and were dominant enough to venture forward on a regular basis, McCluskey and McElroy both shooting points.
“We had a pleasing spread of scoretakers, “ added a satisfied Johnson, “with Ryan Jones powering through with a series of driving runs and hitting some good scores.”
The job of escaping relegation is by no means completed but the boost to morale generated by this unexpected triumph will have instilled real belief that the points required to clinch safety can be collected over the remaining two home fixtures against Wexford and Offaly.
And it is not unreasonable to state that this victory in faraway Newcastlewest was an unexpected one.
Certainly Fermanagh given their recent troubles weren’t viewed as favourites against a Limerick side who do have a decent enough pedigree.
But there have been occasions in the past when Erne sides have fashioned out away wins in unlikely circumstances and last Sunday was another instance.
Right from the outset it was evident that Fermanagh were up for this game and they dictated matters emphatically with Limerick held scoreless until the first half had well advanced.
By the time that the outgunned home side did break their duck, midfielder Tommy Lee pointing, Fermanagh had streaked out six clear and the tone of the contest had been established.
Ryan Jones was quickly into his stride for the invigorated Erne side and he hoofed over a couple of huge early points to give the visitors an impetus they were never to surrender.
The electric Tomás Corrigan also making his presence felt and with Eoin Donnelly and Richard O’Callaghan staking out the midfield territory, Fermanagh were calling all the shots.
They had of course done similarly so in recent games and had then stalled allowing the opposition to come back into the game and there was a flicker of concern when Limerick grabbed a somewhat fortuitous goal on twenty minutes.
From a Fermanagh point of view a ‘softish’ score as a hopeful high punt into the goal area had the presence of Limerick forwards causing enough distraction for the ball to find the net.
But on this occasion there was to be no question of Fermanagh going into their shell and they finished the half as they had begun with another nifty spell of scoring.
Trademark of the team’s play has been the ability to play positive, direct football with lots of support for the man in possession and this saw the side finish the half on a high with four more points rapped over as Limerick struggled to contain the effervescent Ulster side.
By this stage with points having been supplied by a number of defenders, one of whom was advancing corner back John Woods and Corrigan on fire in the front line of the attack Fermanagh were in pole position, reaching the interval a handsome eight points in front.
It was going to take a collapse on the lines of the Longford debacle if there was to be a defeat here but there was to be no repeat of the Pearse Park disaster.
The second half was not to be quite as productive as the free scoring opening thirty five minutes had been , five points added but with the rearguard doing an excellent job in curtailing the Limerick attack there was never any real suggestion that the home side would be able to fashion a full scale recovery.
“We had a number of efforts drop short,” commented Johnson, “plus perhaps there was an element of complacency creeping in given the way that the game had gone for us.
“And there would have been some tiredness also for there had been a tremendous effort put in over the opening half.”
But Fermanagh’s defensive shield was in top order and the home side were never to make any appreciable impact.
Limerick in fact were to manage just a paltry two points from open play over the course of a seventy minutes which had seen them very much on the back foot.
The return of talismatic Treaty stalwart John Galvin after another long injury break couldn’t generate a Limerick effort and Fermanagh were always secure over the closing half.
Second half points came from the hardworking Ryan Jones who continued to drive forward with assurance and with corner forward Tomás Corrigan steadily seeing his personal tally climb, Fermanagh were a more than comfortable nine points clear at the end.
“Destiny in our own hands now,” said a happy Johnson, “and we can look forward to the next game in a fortnight’s time against Wexford.”