Cassidy the hero for Donegal

Donegal 1-13 Fermanagh 2-9: Kevin Cassidy was the hero for Donegal as he came off the bench to give his side their sixth win…

Donegal 1-13 Fermanagh 2-9:Kevin Cassidy was the hero for Donegal as he came off the bench to give his side their sixth win of the campaign against Fermanagh in Ballybofey yesterday; they now face Kildare in next week's semi-final. They trailed by four points with six minutes left but Cassidy hit the back of the net and also added a point.

Fermanagh were much the better team in the opening half with Tom Brewster pulling all the strings at midfield. Eamon Maguire had their first score after three minutes and a minute later a defensive mix up saw Mark Little netting.

Michael Hegarty and Johnny McLoone pulled points back for Donegal but Fermanagh struck for a second goal on 14 minutes from Eamon Maguire. In the final minutes of the half points from Denis Boyle, Adrian Sweeney and Michael Hegarty left the home side four adrift at the break, 2-4 to 0-6.

The second half was much more competitive and eight points were shared in the first 15 minutes. It was to be another 15 minutes before Cassidy struck after an effort from Christy Toye was blocked down. Kevin McMenamin (two) and Cassidy added further points to leave Donegal on top.

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DONEGAL: M Boyle; P Witherow, N McGee, T Donoghue; F McGlynn, K Lacey, E McGee; J Friel, R Bradley (0-1); J McLoone (0-1), M Hegarty (0-3), A Sweeney (0-4, 2f); D Boyle (0-1), B Byrne, M Doherty. Subs: B Dunnion for Witherow; B Monaghan for Byrne; K Cassidy (1-1) for Friel; C Toye for McLoone; K McMenamin (0-2, 1f) for Boyle.

FERMANAGH: C Breen; N Bogue, S McDermott, S Goan; S Lyons, M McGrath, T McElroy (0-1); B Owens, T Brewster (0-3, 2f); C McElroy, E Maguire (1-2, 1f), M Little (1-0); J Sherry (0-1), J McGurn, C Bradley (0-2). Subs: P Sherry for Lyons; C O'Reilly for Bradley; B Óg Maguire for T McElroy; R Keenan for Maguire.

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan)