Warwickshire net contentious goal in 2B final win over Fermanagh

A somewhat controversial goal from Warwickshire's Luke Hands was the key score in the English side's victory over Fermanagh in their Allianz Hurling League Division 2B decider in Ederney.

Hands looked to be well inside the square when he finished a long ball from the outstanding Kevin McKernan to the Ernesiders net 15 minutes from time.

But neither referee Conor Daly nor the umpires reacted so the goal stood.

Hand’s clinical finish put the winners ahead by 1-10 to 1-05 and it was a lead that a disjointed Fermanagh never looked like breaching.

Warwickshire thoroughly deserved their victory with McKernan a huge factor - but they were lucky that at least two of their players avoided red cards in the opening half after a few ugly clashes.

As it was, they lost full-forward Ian Dwyer to a second yellow card five minutes from the end but Jack Grealish and Hands were lucky not to be sidelined for heavy challenges in the opening half.

Fermanagh had a bright start playing into a stiff breeze, with a fine point from Luca McCusker after a minute following an inspired one-handed pass from Caolan Duffy.

Brian Teehan added to this tally when he tore through the centre of the Warwickshire defence and arrowed over a fine score.

Warwickshire responded with a David Devine free and quickly gained momentum, with two rapid fire points from Ian Dwyer and recent recruit and ex-Antrim player Kevin McKernan from the Sarsfield club in Belfast, the latter a wonderfully struck sideline cut.

McCusker levelled matters with a free and the home side had a great chance of a goal when Tom Keenan put Danann McKeogh through one on one with Warwickshire keeper Conor Cummins, who somehow used his body to block McKeogh’s blasted shot.

But a much physically superior