FERMANAGH ...........................2-5
LONGFORD ..............................0-6
Fermanagh ladies made it two out of two in this floodlit Allianz Ladies NFL game played at Kinawley on Saturday evening last. This week-end, they take on Donegal in an away match that has been re-fixed.
On a night not made for football, Fermanagh played with a galeforce wind at their backs in the opening half and at halftime they led by 1-4 to 0-0. It was not quite a mirror image in the second-half, however for Longford found it difficult to break through an in-form home defence where, once again, Kyla McManus was outstanding.
In fact, the visitors made things more difficult for themselves in this half by having two players sin-binned by an alert referee. The second yellow was to punish a foul on Fermanagh full-forward, Sharon Little who had to retire with suspected concussion. Until then, she had impressed in her new role.
Fermanagh got off to the best possible start with a well-taken goal in the 5th minute from Marcella Connolly following a solo run and a neat lob over the goalkeeper. Longford defended very well but, up front, they had few scoring chances. It was all happening at the other end where Connolly, Adele Gallagher and Caroline Little (2) extended Fermanagh's lead before the break.
Now, with galeforce advantage, Longford came out for the second-half will all guns blazing, but after 15 minutes, they had only registered two points on the scoreboard. In the 46th minute, Marcella Connolly pointed and, five minutes from time, she netted her second goal after a one-two with Caroline Little.
That score more or less killed off Longford's challenge, although they did get their last three points in the final seven minutes.
Fermanagh were still without their three injured stars, Eimir Martin (back), Aisling Moane (shoulder) and Tara Hughes (knee operation).
However, Tara has resumed training with the panel and Eimir is expected back at the end of the month.
Team
Fermanagh - Frances Maguire, Glenda Fitzpatrick, Edel McGovern, Theresa McGirr, Orla Reihill, Kyla McManus, Patricia Malanaphy, Shauna Hamilton and Adele Gallagher, Marcella Connolly, Caroline Little, Áine McBrien, capt., D onna Maguire, Sharon Little and Noelle Connolly. Subs used - Eimear Keenan and Edel Campbell.
