Derry’s Mark Lynch
WITH the swirling wind and bitter cold, it was a wonder anyone turned up at Brewster Park in Enniskillen today but for the 1,014 souls who did, they saw a Derry side beaten by Fermanagh in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup.
A second half goal from Derry’s Benny Heron looked as if it would be the difference on the day but a late late show from the hosts saw them take the points in a 1-09 to 1-07 victory.
Fermanagh had the better start with two quick points, one from play and the other from a free before adding a third to take a 3 point lead.
But Benny Heron, Mark Craig and Mark Lynch pointed to square the game, and Derry should have gone into the lead but missed a clear goal chance.
Fermanagh went up the other end to score and lead 0-04 to 0-03.
Derry hit three wasteful wides – something plaguing this team – before Mark Lynch stepped up to score two points before the break to leave Derry ahead 0-05 to 0-04 as the crowd headed en masse for a warm half-time cuppa.
Fermanagh levelled soon after the re-start and added a second to take the lead, but Benny Heron’s finish to the back of the net saw Derry restore order by two, 1-05 to 0-06.
Mark Lynch was substituted and with him off the field, the sides exchanged scores to leave Derry just ahead 1-06 to 0-08.
But with seven minutes left on the clock Fermanagh hit a point and a goal to take a lead they hardly deserved; Fermanagh 1-09 to Derry’s 1-06.
Derry went in search of an equalising goal but could only manage an injury time point, leaving Fermanagh the 1-09 to 1-07 winners.
And that’s how it ended on a day when Liam McGoldrick became the fifth brother in his family to play senior football for Derry and the seventh sibling to play for Oak Leaf county – two sisters play Camogie for the county.
Brian McIver will be disappointed at the number of wides his side hit today.
But if his side can learn from those mistakes today, he won’t lose too much sleep.
Tags:
