Lory Meagher 2015 FINAL -Saturday June 6, 2015
.
Fermanagh 3-16 Sligo 1-17

Fermanagh won the Lory Meagher cup for the first time with a five-point win over Sligo despite finishing the game with 12 men at Croke Park, last Saturday the 6th June, 2015. It was Sligo who registered the first point from a free by the doubled Gerard O'Kelly-Lynch.  Quickly Fermanagh replied through their left full forward Ciaran Corrigan, with an equalising point from play.  Moments later the Ernesider's went in front for the first time, with a point from a free by their mid-fielder John Duffy.  Then the Connaught side drew the game for the second time a score 2 points apiece, with their second point from Keith Redmond. However, with opening quarter half completed, the Yeats county side now seized the scoring initiative, with a series of 7 unanswered points from firstly Gerard O'Kelly-Lynch (5 pts.) and a point apiece from Keith Redmond and Gary Cadden. After twenty minutes of the opening half the scores were Sligo, 9 points, Fermanagh with a very modest 2 points. With the opening half fast ending the very many Erneside fans were now begin to harbour doubts of their heroes expectation of an All-Ireland win, but they needn't have worried for within minutes to the interval, the Fermanagh lads unexpectedly and dramatically stepped up, their scoring rate, firstly Sean Corrigan in darting run through the heart of the Sligo defence, then leashed a killer drive into his opponents net's for his sides first major score. Then ace free taker John Duffy clipped over his side's third point free. On the verge of half-time they Fermanagh man-of-the match Declan McGarry decisively took over scoring duties, when firstly he registered his team's second and third goals from play. And to put icing-on-the playing cake he moments later added his side's fourth point from a free. Now it was duty of the Erneside's John Duffy to return to scoring duty, with his side's fifth point from play. However their Sligo opponents hadn't gone asleep, when Keith Redmond clipped over 2 points for the north Connaught sides.

Half time scores
Fermanagh 3-5 Sligo 0-12

A Very Dramatic Second Half
It anyone was to dare predict the outcome or write the script of this very dramatic concluding half. We were to witness it all three sending offs for the Fermanagh side and a goal for Sligo.  The concluding half began with double goal and single point scorer Declan McGarry adding his second and his side's sixth point from a free.  Then his team mate and previous goal scorer Sean Corrigan clipping over another 2 points from play and a free. Then Fermanagh's second half man-of-the-match Dublin born B MacLaughlin raced up to the scoring plate, with first of five points, and all from paly. But joy for his re-adopted county son to turned to despair, with the first of three calamities for the winning Fermanagh sided began, when mid-fielder John Duffy, received a second yellow and then a red card. However his team mate B MacLaughlin more than adequately filled his scoring role, when he popped over his side's eighth, ninth and tenth points from play. However their Sligo opponents were far being finished, when Keith Redmond popped over his side's thirteenth and fourteenth points from frees. With this match now well into its fourth and final quarter, the embattled north Connaught side, went for scoring broke they had morale lifting coal from Ciaran Brennan. But this was the scoring high tide for Sligo. Now the matches' scoreboard reading Fermanagh with 3 goals 12 points to 1 goal 14 points for Sligo. They Erneside's in quick succession were witness A further two of their players Karl Kehoe and Davy Teague receiving firstly second yellows and the inevitable red card, thus reducing the winning Fermanagh side down to twelve players.  However the Ernesiders upped their commitment with points from Sean Corrigan and Declan McGarry, and a specular save by Fermanagh goalie Mark Curry. Followed by a morale boosting point from Erneside Captain John Paul McGarry.In the match's final moments Keith Redmond clipped over 2 points and for the now defeated Sligo. 

Full time scores
Fermanagh 3-16 Sligo 1-17
Fermanagh: Mark Curry; David Teague, Mathew Teague, Eoin Mahon; Karl Kehoe, Mark Slevin, Barri Duffy; John Duffy (0-03 2f), Daniel Teague; John Paul McGarry (0-01), Declan McGarry (2-03, 1 '65, 1f), Andrew Breslin; Sean Corrigan (1-03), Brian MacLaughlin (0-05), Ciaran Corrigan (0-01).Substitutes: Fergus Barron for Eoin Mahon (25), Dermott Curran for Davy Teague (70).
Referee: J Keane (Galway
Managers, Sean Duffy & Seamus McCusker. Mentors Peter McEvoy & Kevin McGarry, senior. 
Sligo: S Hayes; T Brennan, M Davey, R Redmond; E McGowan, J Kenny, A Morrison; N Hyland (0-01), G O'Kelly-Lynch (0-05 2f); B McMahon, D Fahy, K Redmond (0-09 9f); G Cadden (0-01), C Brennan (1-0), G Waldron (0-01). Substitutes: P Leonard for D Fahy (31), F Keown for R Redmond (39), N Cadden for G Cadden (56).

Fermanagh's John Paul McGarry lifts The Lory Meagher Cup

In an extremely joyous presentation ceremony
The G.A.A. President  Aogan O'Fearghail prior to presenting The Lory Meagher Cup to the captain of the Fermanagh's senior John Paul McGarry, the former remarked "it was not often that Fermanagh come down to Croke Park and wins an All-Ireland trophy. After the presentation the victorious Fermanagh captain warmly thanked his fellow players for their magnificent win. Then thanked his side's management team for organising for their victory today.  Finally graciously thanked the Fermanagh County in all the help they generously given tom them throughout the year.

Fermanagh will now face Louth for a place in next year's Nicky Rackard Cup next year.

Tweet

Most Read Stories