Gaelic Games

First-half goals set up Fermanagh win over Offaly

Conall Jones and Aidan Breen strike at Brewster Park

Aidan Breen scored one of Fermanagh’s first-half goals against Offaly at Brewter Park. Photograph: John McVitty/Inpho/Presseye
Aidan Breen scored one of Fermanagh’s first-half goals against Offaly at Brewter Park. Photograph: John McVitty/Inpho/Presseye
Sun Feb 04 2018 - 17:17

Fermanagh 2-11 Offaly 1-6

Fermanagh made it two wins from two with a hard-working eight-point victory over winless Offaly at Brewster Park in Enniskillen.

Rory Gallagher's side hit two goals in the first half from Conall Jones and Aidan Breen that put huge daylight between the sides.

Fermanagh led early on with a point coming from Seán Quigley, but Offaly responded immediately with a fine score from full forward Anton Sullivan on eight minutes.

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Conall Jones hit the first goal of the game on 15 minutes and further scores from Barry Mulrone and Quigley helped the Ernemen into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead.

Offaly did hit late first-half points from Sullivan and Niall Darby, but a second goal from Fermanagh by Breen extended the home side's lead as they went in at the interval, 2-6 to 0-4.

Offaly started the second half much better and opened up with points from Joseph O'Connor and Nigel Dunne before a Michael Brazil goal made it 2-6 to 1-6.

Fermanagh did not panic and points from Quigley (2), Kane Connor, Paul McCusker and Ryan Lyons saw Fermanagh score the final five points of the game.

Next up for Fermanagh is Sligo away. For Offaly after two defeats in a row, it’s a trip to Celtic Park where they will face Derry.

FERMANAGH: Patrick Cadden; Kane Connor (0-1), Che Cullen, Cian McManus; Barry Mulrone (0-2), Lee Cullen, Declan McCusker (0-1); Eoin Donnelly, Eddie Courtney; Michael Jones, Paul McCusker (0-1), Aidan Breen (1-0); Daniel Teague, Conall Jones (1-2), Seán Quigley (0-3).

Subs: Ciarán Corrigan for D Teague (41 mins), Conor McGee for E Courtney (46), Ryan Lyons (0-1) for L Cullen (54), Ryan McCluskey for P McCusker (62), Eamon Maguire for S Quigley (65), Eoin McManus for A Breen (68).

OFFALY: Patrick Dunican; David Brady, Paul McConway, Seán Pender; David Dempsey, Peter Cunningham, Niall Darby (0-1); Conor McNamee, Bobby O'Dea; Jordan Hayes, Michael Brazil (1-0), Shane Nally; Cian Johnson, Anton Sullivan (0-2), Nigel Dunne (0-2).

Subs: Joseph O'Connor (0-1) for J Hayes (28 mins), Seán Doyle for B O'Dea (52), Shane Tierney for C McNamee (54), Aaron Hensey for N Dunne (61).

Referee: Eddie O'Grady (Leitrim).