Ulster U20FC: impressive Orchard power past unlucky Ernemen

May 25, 2018

John O'Reilly RIP.
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.

Goals from Rian O'Neill and Conor Turbit in either half helped Armagh defeat Fermanagh by 2-14 to 0-10 in Enniskillen.

Though the Orchard County were fully deserving of their victory - which earns them a semi-final tilt at Tyrone (victors over Monaghan in Omagh) - their opponents endured a large dollop of misfortune on the night as no fewer than three of their players were carried off injured.

O'Neill's major was the difference between the sides at the short whistle as the visitors led by 1-5 to 0-5 at the turnaround.

The first six points were shared, Lorcan McStravick opening the scoring from a fine Fermanagh free in the second minute before Turbit and wing back Ryan Owens edged the Orchard ahead. Callum Jones and McStravick fired sumptuous points for the hosts but Eoghan McDonnell replied and O'Neill netted after Darragh McGurn had restored the Erne lads' advantage - 1-3 to 0-4.

Turbit's second left three between them and the outstanding McStravick traded points with O'Neill (free) before the break.

The superb O'Neill also opened the second-half scoring and registered his third straight score (free) before McGurn hit back. However, Clann Eireann clubman Turbit struck the second Armagh major after the home side lost McStravick to injury.

Wing forwards Eoghan Curran and Jones kept Fermanagh ticking over but the luckless Jones soon joined McStravick in being stretchered off as the home side were left cursing their bad fortune.

O'Neill and McGurn traded points as the home side remained within four with seven minutes left, 2-7 to 0-9, but the Orchard County knocked over seven consecutive scores to ease into the last four.

Armagh - E Mulholland; J McAlinden, B McCambridge, D Loye; C McGeary, N McGuinness, R Owens (0-1); E McDonnell (0-2), C O'Neill (1-6, 0-4f); R McQuillan (0-1), S Loye, R Garvey; C Turbit (1-1), J Duffy (0-2), R O'Neill. Subs: J Kearns for S Loye, R Magennis (0-1) for R Garvey, D Luckie for C McGeary, S McAlinden for D Loye.

Fermanagh - A Keenan; J McCaffrey, U Kelm, E Sheils; C Quinn, J Cassidy, P Breen; M Og McGarrigle, E Beacom; C Jones (0-3, 1sl), D McGurn (0-3, 2f), E Curran (0-1); P Og O'Reilly, L McStravick (0-3, 2f), S McGullion. Subs: C McBrien for L McStravick, C McGee for C Jones, T Bogue for E Curran, P Doherty for J Cassidy.

Referee - E McFeely.


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