Fermanagh see off Laois to secure quarter-final spot

Goals from Callum Jones (2) and Conor McShea ensured that Fermanagh defeated Laois and sealed a quarter-final spot in the Tailteann Cup

Wicklow’s defeat of Carlow in the other group game meant that the O’Moore County finish second.

They will play a home preliminary quarter-final next weekend – with the draw for this taking place on Sunday evening.

Laois struggled to break Fermanagh down in the first 15 minutes as the Ulster side built up an early lead.

Frees from Sean Cassidy and Garvan Jones were added to by a point from Joe McDade.

Laois finally got going with a point from Kieran Lillis and followed that with one from outside the 45 via Paul Kingston.

Ultan Kelm responded for Fermanagh, but the Laois briefly took the lead at the midpoint of the half.

Damon Larkin won a long kick out from Killian Roche and fired the ball into Evan O’Carroll, who took on his man and found the bottom corner.

But the lead lasted seconds as Fermanagh went straight down the other end and Callum Jones rattled the net from close range.

Laois responded well though as Mark Barry and Paul Kingston drew them level before Fermanagh scored their second goal after 26 minutes.

Again, it is one Laois will be disappointed with as Conor McShea was allowed to run unchallenged for a long spell before planting the ball past Killian Roche.

Laois did finish the half well though as captain Evan O’Carroll kicked a free and a point from play to leave it 2-04 to 1-06 to Fermanagh at the interval.

Fermanagh increased their lead when play resumed through Callum Jones and Garvan Jones with Killian Roche and Paul Kingston replying for Laois.

The sides traded points before Laois took the lead after 50 minutes. Evan O’Carroll and Paul Kingston set up Rioghan Murphy and he was fouled for a penalty.

Mark Barry stepped up and found the top corner to leave Laois 2-09 to 2-08 ahead.

Roche pointed for Laois, but Josh Largo-Ellis and Brandon Horan drew Fermanagh level after 55 minutes.

And then they were awarded a penalty when Conor Heffernan fouled Shane McGullion and Callum Jones buried it from the spot.

The sides traded points then before Mark Timmons and Paul Kingston drew Laois back to within one.

They needed a goal from the final play as a draw was no good for them, but Fermanagh defended well and held on.

Laois: Killian Roche (0-2f); Dylan Kavanagh, Kieran Lillis (0-1), Mark Timmons (0-1); Seamus Lacey, Brian Byrne, Simon Fingleton; Damon Larkin, Conor Heffernan; Mark Barry (1-2, 1-0pen, 0-1f), Eoin Lowry (0-1), Kevin Swayne; Rioghan Murphy, Evan O’Carroll (1-2, 1f), Paul Kingston (0-4, 1f).

Subs: Shaun Fitzpatrick for Lillis (50, inj), Niall Dunne for Lowry (61), Mikie Dempsey for Kavanagh (65, inj), Niall Corbet for O’Carroll (71, inj)

Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Lee Cullen, Che Cullen, Jonathan Cassidy; Declan McCusker, Shane McGullion, Josh Largo-Ellis (0-2); Brandon Horan (0-1), Joe McDade (0-1); Callum Jones (2-1, 1-0pen), Conor McShea (1-0), Fionan O’Brien; Ultan Kelm (0-2), Garvan Jones (0-2f), Sean Cassidy (0-1f).

Subs: Darragh McGurn for G Jones (45), Conor Love for Cassidy (50), Ronan McCaffrey for O’Brien and Tiarnan Bogue for McDade (both 53), Diarmuid King for C Jones (67)

Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)