Fermanagh 0-22 Kilkenny 1-3
Fermanagh put their recent problems behind them to comprehensively beat luckless Kilkenny in this seventh round game of the Allianz National league played at a well presented “Polo Grounds” (Jenkinstown) on Saturday evening. In a game played in cool but dry conditions the Northern side had to up their game considerably after a lack lustre first half in which they struggled to shake off the challenge of a battling but outclassed Kilkenny side. Limerick opened up a five points lead in the opening quarter, their scores coming from Chris O Brien, Ryan Jones, Niall Cassidy and Conor Quigley (2). At the half time break they still led by just four points 0-8 to 1-1 the Kilkenny goal coming from Bill Keogh in the 27th minute. Indeed but for a couple of bad misses by the “Cats” forward division the Fermanagh lead would have been smaller. The third quarter was played at much the same tempo as the opening half. By the 45th minute Fermanagh had extended their lead to seven points 0-12 to 1-2 and were on their way to victory. The Northerners completely dominated the final quarter and pointed at regular intervals while Kilkenny’s only score in that period came from Michael Duggan. In the end Fermanagh’ superior fitness and sharpness up front told as they ran out sixteen points winners.
After the game the Fermanagh Manager John O Neill was in upbeat mood despite reported problems in their camp earlier in the week. He said it had been a tough time for all concerned but said a statement from the county board in the coming week should clear up matters.
Fermanagh Scorers Ryan Jones 0-4 (2 frees) Terry O Flanagan 0-4 Conor Quigley 0-4 Sean Quigley 0-3 Joe O Brien 0-2 (frees) Joe O Flanagan 0-2 Martin O Brien 0-1 Niall Casey 0-1 Chris O Brien 0-1
Kilkenny Scorers Bill Keogh 1-0 Graeme Lawlor 0-1David Garvey 0-1Michael Duggan 0-1
Fermanagh Chris Breen, J ohn Woods, Barry Owens, Michael Jones, Conor Quigley, HughBrady, Niall Mc Govern, Kevin Cosgrove, Martin O Brien, Terry O Flanagan, Niall Cassidy, Ryan Jones, Paul Mc Cusker, Kevin Connolly, Chris O Brien.Subs. Jack O Flanagan, Joe O Brien, Sean Quigley, Barry Mulrone, Paul Mc Grath.
Kilkenny J.J.O Sullivan,Declan, Grennan, Seoirse Kenny, Ciaran Foran, J.J.Grace, Sean Mahoney, Michael Malone, Bill Keogh, Michael Mahoney, David Prendergast, Paddy Raftice, Michael Saunders, Michael Duggan, David Garvey, Graham Lawlor. Subs. Stephen Duggan, James Mackey, Paul Donnelly, J.J. Dunphy
Referee – Richard Moloney (Limerick)
By Mary Morgan Wed 30th Mar
