Eoin Donnelly goal v Monaghan 2018 Ulster semi final
It had been ten years since Fermanagh reached an Ulster final and even after an impressive first round win over Armagh there were few who gave the Erne men any chance of upsetting Monaghan in the semi-final played at Healy Park Omagh.
In his first year at the helm Rory Gallagher had put in place a system that was incredibly hard to break down and Monaghan found this out to their cost. Still though, Malachy O’Rourke’s men had worked their way into a two point lead and it looked like the ability to take scores was going to once again prove to be Fermanagh’s Achilles heel. But as the game entered the 71st minute captain and midfielder Eoin Donnelly drifted in behind the Moanaghan defence and when Ryan Jones landed one into the square the Coa man flicked home to send Fermanagh into the Ulster final.
There they came unstuck against a rampant Donegal side but 2018 was still a hugely successful year as it also included promotion to division three.
Donnelly’s goal gave the Fermanagh support a moment of unfiltered and unbridled joy, ands allowed them to continue to dream. Much like Barry Owens’ goal in the same ground in the Ulster semi final to defeat Derry ten years earlier.
Sean Quigley v Dublin 2015 All Ireland quarter final
It wasn’t even a goal if truth be told. Well, it shouldn’t have been. But it did make the country smile. Fermanagh, under Pete McGrath had played some brilliant football to reach the All Ireland quarter final in 2015. Seeing off Roscommon and Westmeath along the way.
Their prize for those victories was a match up with Dublin at Croker and even though 2015 was the first of the Boys in Blue five in a row they had won in 2011 and 2013 and were a team brimming with talent. McGrath, although he adapted his management, never was one for floods of men behind the ball and as such he went out and took Dublin on. Defeat came and may of Fermanagh’s scores may have came when the game was effectively over but the Erne men gave their fans plenty to cheer about.
The loudest cheer was reserved for Quigley’s goal. A long ball was collected by Stephen Cluxton with Quigley brazenly pushing the goalkeeper over the line. A barely believable appeal to umpires by the Roslea man was followed by some confusion by the men in white and the subsequent raising of the green flag.
Cluxton looked dumbfounded and argued his case. Quigley laughed and grinned like a youngster who had avoided being seen with his hand in the cookie jar.
Tomas Corrigan v Roscommon 2015 All Ireland Qualifier
Anyone in Brewster Park for this All Ireland round three qualifier with Roscommon will tell you what an electric occasion it was. Fermanagh, who had played in division three welcomed division one Roscommon to Brewster Park and what followed was a pulsating affair from start to finish.
Fermanagh were six points down on 55 minutes but a penalty goal from Sean Quigley got them back in the mix and with stoppage time entered Tomas Corrigan stood under the shadow of the John Vesey stand with a side-line ball before unleashing a gorgeous effort with the outside of the right foot to draw the game up and send the home fans delirious.
The cheers had scarcely died down when Sean Quigley caught, swivelled and swing over the winner.
But for those present it is Corrigan’s audacious side-line that will be remembered as one of the great scores in the history of Fermanagh football.
Seamus Quigley v Longford 2018 National Football League
A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Winston Churchill said those words. Winston didn’t know Seamus Quigley but if he did, he may well have rehashed one of his most famous lines for the Roslea attacker.
Quigley has been the great hope of Fermanagh football for much of the decade with spellbinding performances in a variety of games throughout the decade but the longevity of his stints in the green jersey have been long enough for the Fermanagh faithful.
That said he racked up some big scoring tallies, particularly in the McKenna Cup and the National Football League and it was the last game in the latter competition in 2018 where Quigley showed his nerves of steel.
Trailing by a point Quigley tapped over a routine free to tie things up before moments later standing over a 50-yard kick to seal the win and a place for Fermanagh in division two. The result was never in doubt as Quigley curled over an absolute beauty.
Winston, no doubt, would have approved.
John Woods point v Westmeath 2013 All Ireland Qualifier
Peter Canavan was in charge for the Erne county for two years and John Woods provided him with his most memorable moment in what was a cracking game of football against Westmeath in the All Ireland qualifiers.
The final score of 1-15 to 3-10 in Fermanagh’s favour showed the type of game that those in attendance were treated to as the game ebbed and flowed. There were some stunning scores in the game, not least Ryan Jones third goal from Fermanagh but the most exhilarating for the home support was Woods’ last-minute point to secure progression to the next round.
Woods was one of the best man markers in the Erne county for several years in the decade although he didn’t threaten the scoreboard on too many occasions. That was all thrown out the window however as Fermanagh went in search of the win and Woods turned hero for the Erne men when he split the posts in injury time to claim Fermanagh’s only championship win in a three year period.
Chris Snow v Antrim 2016 Ulster Championship First Round
Antrim came calling to Brewster Park for a championship clash with Fermanagh. The history books show a six-point win for Fermanagh and it was a game of the comfortable variety but Fermanagh’s net minder, Chris Snow, had a part to play in that as he prevented a potential momentum swing to the Saffrons. Fermanagh were six clear on 22 minutes and the visitors desperately needed a life line.
Kevin Niblock delivered a flighted ball to Brian Neeson, who had broken Fermanagh hearts at the same venue two years previous. Neeson collected and turned and hit a rasping shot that as destined for the net until Snow brilliantly turned the ball out for a 45 to break Antrim’s will.
