Fermanagh promoted after easing past spiritless Wexford in the Allianz League

Fermanagh 1-12 Wexford 0-07

Fermanagh’s revival continues as their eight-point victory over a spiritless Wexford saw them promoted from Division Three at Wexford Park on Sunday.

The foundations for this victory were laid with a goal from a penalty just before the break, but it was in the second half that they took the initiative, and the margin could have been greater, as Wexford resigned themselves to relegation.

Fermanagh having lifted themselves out of Division Four continued their march to Division Two and a final clash with rivals Armagh. Manager Peter McGrath was quite happy with the end result.

“It’s a long drive home, but we’re happy. To be honest we were determined to clinch promotion today and not leave it run over to the final game. We were slow starting when assisted by the elements but the goal just before the break seemed to settle the side,” he said.

“We played much better in the second half, held possession, while distributing the ball with more accuracy. Obviously we will need to improve for the Armagh game but we are happy to have clinched promotion and can now look forward to Division Two football, which will be a further step up in class.”

A grim day for Wexford and new manager David Power, as they face the drop to Division Four. "Our effort dropped short. We have to be bitterly disappointed with that display," Power said.

The visitors eventually got on top after a slow start. After trading points early on Fermanagh moved into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after 17 minutes through a Seán Quigley free, a lead they were never to lose.

Home goalkeeper Shane Roche was adjudged to have fouled Paul McCusker just before half-time, leaving Quigley to convert the penalty giving Fermanagh a 1-5 to 0-3 lead.

After Quigley and Kevin O’Grady exchanged points, it was Fermanagh who went on to dominate with Ryan McCluskey influential at centre back.

WEXFORD: S Roche; S Donohoe, B Malone, M Furlong; P O'Keeffe, K Butler, A Flynn; J Carty, C Kehoe, T Rossiter (0-1), M O'Regan, N Hughes; B Brosnan (0-1), C Lyng (0-2, 1 free), E Nolan (0-1).

Subs: K O'Grady (0-1) for Carty (ht); J Tubritt (0-1) for O'Keeffe (ht); G Carty for O'Regan (52); G Cullen for Hughes (56).

FERMANAGH: T Treacy; M Jones, T Daly, M O'Brien; D McCusker, R McCluskey, N Cassidy; E Donnelly (0-1), R Jones (0-2); P McCusker, C Flaherty (0-1), B Mulrone (0-2); T Corrigan (0-2), S Quigley (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-4 frees), R Corrigan.

Subs: R Lyons for Flaherty (66); C Jones for R Corrigan (66); D Kelly for Cassidey (68); D Kille for T Corrigan (68).

Referee: D Fahy (Longford).