Fermanagh overcome Cavan in Suzuki Semis

Suzuki National League Semi Final Fermanagh 4-10 Cavan 1-10

A strong and determined Fermanagh side over came neighbours Cavan
on Sunday in the semi final of the Suzuki National League semi
final played in Lisnaskea. Fermanagh now advance to the final
and face Westmeath who over came Louth. Cavan began the stronger
of the two teams but the sin binning of Bronagh Sheridan in the
first half gave the advantage to Fermanagh who capitalised on
it and scored a penalty to, too give them the lead going in at
half time. Fermanagh continued where they left of at half time
to hold the lead through out the second half and come away with
a well deserved place in final of the national league and second
division status at stake. Cavan opened the scoring with a point
from Elaine Costin but Fermanagh replied instantly with a well
worked point from Eimir Martin. Brid Boylan latched onto a pass
from Sheridan to finish the ball to the back of the Fermanagh
net and give her team the lead. Marcella Connolly replied with
a point for Fermanagh. A high tackle on Edel McGovern saw Bronagh
Sheridan sin binned for ten minutes. Fermanagh capitalised on
this with a point from Caroline Little. A foul on Marcella Connolly
in the square was rewarded with a penalty for Fermanagh. Eimir
Martin stepped up and smashed the ball pass keeper Baxter and
put it in the back of the net and gave her team the lead. Fermanagh
kept the Cavan defence pressurised and a slick pass from Aine
McBrien played in Marcella Connolly who expertly finished the
ball to the net. Cavan could only reply with points from Aishling
Doonan and Elaine Costin. Fermanagh went in at the break with
a goal advantage and the happier of the two teams as they were
playing against a strong breeze.

Half Time: Fermanagh 2-3 Cavan 1-3

Fermanagh began the second half strongly with points from Sharon
Little and Aine McBrien. Bronagh Sheridan scored a point for Cavan.
But Fermanagh replied with points from Eimir Martin and Donna
Maguire. A high tackle on Eimir Martin saw Aishling Harton sin
binned and the resulting free kick was pointed by Sharon Little.
Fermanagh continued to work hard and were rewarded with a point
from Caroline Little. Renee Murphy added on a point for Cavan.
Continued pressure on the Cavan defence saw Marcella Connolly
play in Eimir Martin who rounded the keeper and finished the ball
to the net. Cavan then hit a purple patch and scored four unanswered
points from Pamela Crowe, Aishling Doonan (free), Claire Murtagh
and Brid Boylan. However Fermanagh’s never say die attitude stood
to them again and a 45 meter kick hit in by Sharon Little was
caught by Caroline Little on the edge of the square and she blasted
it to the back of the net. Grainne Smith scored a point then for
Cavan but Fermanagh had the final say of the half and game when
Sharon Little pointed a free kicked with the last kick of the
game.

Final Score- Fermanagh 4-10 Cavan 1-10

Fermanagh are now through to the Suzuki National League final
and now face opponents Westmeath, which is in two weeks time,
Sunday 6th May. Fermanagh produced a very determined display and
where the dominatant team which will certainly be required of
them in the final.

Scorers

Fermanagh: Eimir Martin 2-2, Caroline Little 1-2, Marcella Connolly
1-1, Sharon Little 0-3, Aine McBrien and Donna Maguire 0-1 each.

Cavan: Brid Boylan 1-1, Elaine Costin 0-2, Aishling Doonan 0-2,
Bronagh Sheridan, Pamela Crowe, Claire Murtagh, Grainne Smith
and Renee Murphy 0-1 each

Fermanagh: Frances Maguire, Claire Woods, Kyla McManus, Edel McGovern
(Capt), Tara Hughes, Glenda Fitzpatrick, Aishling Moane, Caroline
Little, Shauna Woods, Aine McBrien, Marcella Connolly, Donna Maguire,
Eimir Martin, Sharon Little, Shauna Hamilton. Subs: Adelle Gallagher,
Terri Cassidy, Louise Slevin, Lynne McFredrick, Nuala Curran,
Sabrina McGovern, Teresa McGirr, Carrie Mooney, Mary Smith, Aine
Johnston.

Cavan: Karen Baxter, Siobhan McGorry, Ciara Reilly, Claire Kearns,
Patricia Lynch, Renee Murphy, Edel Farelly, Alisha Cornyn, Laura
Corrigan, Brid Boylan, Claire Murtagh, Pamela Crowe, Bronagh Sheridan,
Aishling Doonan, Elaine Costin. Subs: Aishling Harton, Grainne
Smith

Aine Martin PRO