Fuerty’s poverty exploited by Elphin

Elphin 1-10

Fuerty 1-2

Callington Ltd Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Final

Most observers judging this game beforehand were anticipating a very competitive North versus South contest but, from the throw-in, Elphin gradually moved through the gears to prevail at a canter as Fuerty completely malfunctioned in the shooting department.

The final scoreline in this quarter-final played at Enfield on Saturday evening tells its own story. In a contest that was low on quality for large parts, Elphin, in the knowledge they have much work to do ahead of their semi-final against Éire Óg, at least did manage to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Fuerty, however, don’t need be told that scoring 1-2 over the course of 74 minutes is not going to win too many matches. A single score in the first half and two scores in the second will be a source of huge disappointment for joint managers Ger Nugent and Brian Higgins. Their team was tipped as one of the front-runners in this year’s championship but, in truth, they bowed out with a whimper.

Elphin manager Seamus Quinn will be pleased that his side have now found some momentum after a mixed start to the championship. Their marque players — Fintan Cregg, Shane Killoran and Niall Higgins — were hugely influential figures who helped their side’s prospects no end.

In a first half littered with turnovers by both sides, the men from North Roscommon were still full value for their half-time lead of 0-6 to 1-0. In among those scores were some delicious efforts — Alex Gleeson’s point in the tenth minute after a brilliant move; Aidan Murray curling over a beauty with his left foot two minutes later and a lively Shane Killoran kicking two great scores, the last two of the half, to put them in prime position.

Fuerty’s single score in the opening period, an opportunist goal in the 26th minute from their corner-back, Ben McGahon, kept the game alive going into the break. The dual player, who will be lining out for Athleague in the county senior hurling final, stroked the ball into an empty net after Philip Neilan’s pointed effort came off the crossbar and ‘keeper Aaron Brady left his line to chase down the loose ball.

The goal was a lifeline but, ultimately, it didn’t provide the spark that Fuerty needed. Elphin continued to keep a stranglehold on the game in the second period, and were enjoying a comfortable five-point lead before Fuerty finally managed their second score of the game in the 50th minute — a converted free from Niall Kilroy.

His side did have three decent goal chances in this half — one in the 57th minute when Oisín Lyons dragged his shot wide; another just moments before when Aaron Brady pulled off a great save from substitute Tadhg Lyons and the third, a Niall Kilroy shot saved by Brady in stoppage time.

But those missed chances summed up Fuerty’s afternoon where they struggled to make any dent on the scoreboard. Meanwhile, Elphin always looked comfortable and in command after the break with a return of 1-4, including a delightful free from a tight angle from Fintan Cregg the pick of the points.

Any chance of a miracle comeback for Fuerty ended in the 57th minute when Elphin corner-forward John Finnerty intercepted a crossfield pass from Darragh Mullen, leaving a two-on-one involving Finnerty and Fintan Cregg. Both players exchanged passes before the corner-forward coolly slotted the ball past ‘keeper Joe Fallon to leave them 1-9 to 1-1 in front.

As the clock ticked down to an inevitable outcome, Mark Ward got a mere consolation point in the 28th minute, his side’s third of the afternoon, while Elphin substitute Gerry Cregg kicked over the final point in added time to help secure a convincing win for his side.

Elphin will be very pleased to be in the last four but they kicked seven wides over the hour and were guilty of some very sloppy turnovers, especially in the first half. They will get back to the training ground this week, however, in an effort to iron out these issues ahead of their semi-final.

For Fuerty, it was a day of much disappointment where they utterly failed to deliver on their potential.