Quigley shines as Canavan makes a winning start

Gareth Cauldwell • Published 8 Jan 2012 17:00

Fermanagh 2-11; Antrim 1-06

Peter Canavan's first competitive game in charge of Fermanagh resulted in victory as the home side claimed an eight point win over Antrim at Brewster Park today (Sunday) in the PowerNI McKenna Cup.

Full forward Seamus Quigley was the star man for Fermanagh as the Roslea talisman helped himself to 1-08 including putting an equisite finish to a wonderful move for Fermanagh's second goal that put the game beyond Antrim with five minutes to go.

Overall, the effort and commitment of the players will have delighted Canavan with the side working hard throughout to secure the victory.

Canavan gave four players their first taste of competitive intercounty action with Chris Snow starting in goals while Kane Connor showed plenty of promise in the half back line.

Eoin Donnelly had an excellent afternoon at midfield and Brian Mullin can be pleased with his contribution in the half forward line.

Fermanagh got off to the perfect start as Paul Ward fired to the net inside the opening eight minutes to make it 1-01 to 0-00.

Antrim though replied to this with their goal, midfielder Conal Kelly blasting past Snow after being teed up by Michael Magill.

The home side though were enjoying the better of the exchanges and Brian Og Maguire and Sean Quigley kicked over points to push Fermanagh three ahead.

Full forward Magill lobbed over two good scores for Antrim but three points from Seamus Quigley, including a superb point from the right hand sideline, had Fermanagh in front at the interval, 1-06 to 1-02.

Canavan introduced three substitutes at half time into his attack with Mark Little, Eamon Maguire and Pat Cadden coming in, Little in particular impressing in the second half.

Quigley edged Fermanagh five ahead on the resumption with a free but then Antrim had their best period of the game as they registered the next three points from Paddy Cunningham (free), Kelly and Tomas McCann to make it 1-07 to 1-05.

Quigley fired over though from a free for Fermanagh to move them four ahead before a melee saw Seamus Quigley, Sean Quigley and Antrim's Michael McCann yellow carded.

And Antrim's task became even tougher when substitute McCann picked up a second booking soon after as they were reduced to 14 men with 15 minutes to go.

Quigley and Cunningham swapped points before Fermanagh went on to make sure of the win.

Quigley landed a free and then found the net to finish off a wonderful move. Mark Little intercepted the ball on his own 21 metre line and the ball was moved forward through Ryan McCluskey, Johnny Woods and Shane Lyons. Little then picked up possession and played the ball across the face of goal for Quigley to volley soccer style to the back of the net.

The big Roslea man then rounded off a good day for Fermanagh when he landed his eighth point of the game to leave it 2-11 to 1-06 at the finish.

Scorers

Fermanagh

Seamus Quigley (1-8, 5f, 1'45), P. Ward (1-1), B. Og Maguire (0-1), S. Quigley (0-1)

Antrim

M. Magill (0-2), C. Kelly (1-1), P. Cunningham (0-2, 2f), T. McCann (0-1)

Fermanagh

C. Snow; N. Bogue, B. Owens, J. Woods; C. Quigley, R. McCluskey, K. Connor; E. Donnelly, S. Lyons; T. Corrigan, B. Og Maguire, B. Mullin; P. Ward, Seamus Quigley, Sean Quigley.

Subs - M. Little for B. Og Maguire, E. Maguire for Corrigan, P. Cadden for Ward, B. Mulrone for Mullin, D. Kille for Sean Quigley

Antrim

W. McSorley; P. Gallagher, R. Johnson, R. Daly; T. Scullion, J. Crozier, J. Loughrey; C. Kely, A. Gallagher; C. Murray, K. Marron, M. Armstrong; C. Duffin, M. Magill, P. Cunningham.

Subs - M. McCann for Gallagher, T. McCann for Magill, P. McBride for Daly, M. McAleese for Armstrong, S. McDonagh for Murray.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 08 Jan 12

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