Gaelic Games

Dramatic draw sees Fermanagh survive in Division Two

A nervy finish in Brewster Park saw Fermanagh cling on to stay up

Tyrone and Fermanagh players are involved in a scuffle at the end of their Allianz League clash. Photo: John McVitty/Inpho
Tyrone and Fermanagh players are involved in a scuffle at the end of their Allianz League clash. Photo: John McVitty/Inpho
Sun Apr 03 2016 - 16:58

Fermanagh 0-12 Tyrone 1-09

Fighting Fermanagh survived in Division Two after a dramatic draw with Tyrone before 7,000 fans in Brewster Park.

The winners were the better side throughout but hit 10 wides as nervy finishing spoiled good approach play.

Disappointing Tyrone only had pride to play for, and only played in patches and was always playing catch up against a much hungrier Fermanagh side.

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The match ended in some controversy as Fermanagh team boss Peter McGrath briefly joined the action to remonstrate with referee Anthony Nolan after Sean Quigley appeared to have been hauled down.

The Ernesiders were winning by 0-12 to 1-8, and Tyrone went up the field and levelled matters through Ronan O’Neill.

But they had to endure four more nail biting moments before gaining that precious point.

A well- executed goal from Tyrone’s Barry Tierney pushed the Red Hands to a 1-4 to 0-6 half-time lead.

But two magnificent long range points from Ryan Lyons gave the Ernesiders a lead they never subsequently lost.

“I am absolutely delighted as this was our greatest challenge, given the fact that people are talking about Tyrone as potential All-Ireland winners this year.

“It took energy, manliness, grit, composure and the boys showed all of that.

“We missed loads of chances and Tyrone are very good on the counter attack.

“I thought it was a disastrous decision by the referee in relation to Sean Quigley and then Tyrone got a very soft free immediately after that.

“Sometimes you maybe just have to let the referee’s know exactly what you think of their decisions especially when they are wrong”.

Fermanagh: C Snow, M Jones, C Cullen, M O'Brien; D McCusker, J McMahon, D Kelly (0-1); E Donnelly (0-1), R Jones ; P McCusker (0-1), R Lyons (0-2) , B Mulrone ; D Teague (0-1) , S Quigley (0-32f) , T Corrigan (0-21f). Subs: R Corrigan for T Corrigan (25) T Flaherty for R Lyons (54), A Breen for P McCusker (52), P McCadden (0-1) for D Teague (60). Yellow card: S Quigley (47), M O'Brien (50). Black cards: T Corrigan (25).

Tyrone: M O'Neill, A McCrory , R McNamee, C McCarron ; B Tierney (1-0) R Brennan (0-1), H P McGeary ; C Cavanagh M Donnelly; P McNulty , R O'Neill (0-1f), R Donnelly (0-3) ; D McCurry (0-1f) S Cavanagh 5 C McAliskey. Subs: T McCann (0-1), for H P McGeary (42), N Sludden (0-1), for D McCurry (46), C Clarke for C McAliskey. Yellow cards: M Donnelly (5), M O'Neill (17), M Bradley (0-1) for S Cavanagh (29 b card). R O'Neill (32), C Cavanagh (50). Black card: S Cavanagh (29).

Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).