A 1-5 haul from star attacker Sean Quigley helped Fermanagh gain a six-point victory over Laois at Brewster Park on Saturday as the Erne County moved up to joint-second in the Division Three standings.
They are only one point behind league-leaders Limerick, who have six points, and are level on five points with both Antrim and Louth.
Fermanagh’s performance on Saturday suggests they’ll have a big say in the promotion race with Ciaran Corrigan also weighing in with 1-3 from play.
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Manager Kieran Donnelly was understandably delighted with how his forwards fared as they hit 3-15 in total against the O’Moore County and reserved praise for both Quigley and Corrigan.
“Sean (Quigley) the last day out against Longford, he really stood up when he needed him,” said Donnelly.
“He has been our talisman for years. There’s a touch of genius with Sean - he does things other players can’t do.
“He has really led us and led the line excellently.
“I felt with Ciaran Corrigan, they really gelled well inside. Ciaran’s movement has always been good so those two proved a very formidable partnership.”
He added: “It's a long time probably since we scored 3-15.
“We have quality players, sometimes it's a bit of confidence and a bit of energy, and somebody getting off that final pass, which I felt we did, we always had options to the last man.
“That’s the most pleasing aspect of it.”
Donnelly must also take a great deal of the plaudits for Saturday’s win as the Fermanagh manager clearly had his homework done on Laois.
Prior to the clash with Billy Sheehan’s men, Donnelly expressed his belief that Laois would go direct and try to kick early ball into their full-forward line.
That prophecy proved correct and James McMahon and Jonny Cassidy held firm at the back and the two of the Laois goals came as a result of errors from Fermanagh.
The second Laois goal came when Gary Walsh dropped a close-range free short and the Fermanagh defence failed to clear their lines with Mark Barry pouncing for the Leinster side.
Yet, the home side always looked like they had more in reserve and were full value for their 3-15 to 3-9 win with Daragh McGurn bagging their third goal in the second half.
“I felt we controlled the game very well and we maximised our chances,” reflected Donnelly.
“We got our scores at key times and we were very aware that was their game-plan and we had to nullify that - they kicked the ball in long and direct each time. I thought we coped with that well.
“They got back with a couple of sucker goals, but it was our response to their goal at the start of the second half. . . I was very proud of our boys as we got the next two scores which was massive.”
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