Fermanagh cling on to end Offaly's winning run

Fermanagh hung on for a vital victory after a controversial finish in an exciting affair in challenging conditions in a cliched game of two halves in Ederney.

For with time almost up, and Offaly pressing for an equaliser in the 73rd minute Offaly corner back Rory seemed to be fouled as Fermanagh led by 1-13 to 3-06.

Referee Kevin Faloon deemed no foul had been committed and then blew for full time-to the disgust of Offaly as the Ernesiders gained their second victory by the minimum margin.

On the other hand, Fermanagh had a clear point waved wide in the second half

Youthful Offaly staged an heroic second half comeback after trailing by 1-10 to 1-01 at the break playing with a strong breeze.

But torrential rain at the break seemed to spur Offaly and two early goals changed the complexion of the game completely.

For a speedy Offaly side were causing Fermanagh all sorts of problems as the home side could only hit three points in the second half and hit four bad wides in a wind assisted second half.

Fermanagh had a whirlwind start when veteran captain Declan McCusker powered his way through the Offaly defence and slid the ball low to the net after 20 seconds.

But this was quickly cancelled when a lightning move ended with Cillian Bourke goaling for the Faithful County.

However, that was as good as it got for Mickey Harte's young men as the home side took over in midfield and hit some stunning scores into the stiff biting breeze.

The outstanding Darragh McGurn lofted over a great point, and this was quickly followed by a similar effort from the speedy Josh Largo Ellis to put the Ernesiders into a 1-02 to 1-00 lead after.

Ryan Lyons finished a fine move with a punched point which could have been a goal and marksmn Garvan Jones punished