Down snatch dramatic Ulster SFC win over Fermanagh

Down came from seven points behind to snatch an unlikely 2-19 to 0-23 victory over Fermanagh with two late goals from Daniel Guinness and Ryan McEvoy putting them through to the Ulster SFC semi-finals.

Fermanagh looked to be closing in on a first win in the provincial series since 2018 when they led 0-22 to 0-15 with seven minutes to go in Brewster Park.

After an evenly contested first half, which Down led 0-11 to 0-8 at the break, Conor Love was on fire with five second-half points for Fermanagh.

The Erne side hit 10 points in the third quarter with Down subdued until a two-pointer from Daniel Guinness set up a chaotic finish.

Guinness fired home a 65th minute goal with the Mournemen hitting an unanswered 2-4 in the last seven minutes.

The game looked to be heading to extra time until McEvoy fired home a second Down goal in the last minute.

Down will play Monaghan or Donegal in the Ulster semi-final on Sunday 27 April.

Declan McCusker is stunned after Fermanagh let a seven-point lead slip in the closing stages and lose to Down

Fermanagh will have too long to ponder quite how they failed to see this one through before they try to regroup for the Tailteann Cup.

Their high press in the second half forced Down to go long and frequently it was Fermanagh who won possession and streamed forward with Love's flurry of scores and a two-pointer from Che Cullen putting them in complete control.

Yet for all their dominance after the break, they did hit a few bad wides which proved costly when Down came roaring back in the closing stages.

While the first half lacked quality at times, it was memorable for the goal chances and outstanding saves made by both goalkeepers Ronan Burns and Sean McNally, who also nailed four '45s' between them.

Down edged the opening period and points from Danny Magill and Ceilum Doherty helped them lead 0-10 to 0-5 after 24 minutes.

Pierce Laverty's black card for a hand trip gave Fermanagh a lifeline and they took it with three points before the break to reduce the deficit to three points at the interval.

Fermanagh's Darragh McGurn keeps hold of possession ahead of Down duo Pierce Laverty and Odhran Murdock

Ryan Lyons, Jonny Cassidy, Garvan Jones and the star turn Conor Love grew in confidence and stature as the third quarter wore on.

Hardly known as a high-scoring team, this was turning into one of Fermanagh's best performances for some time as they piled on the points while looking collectively solid defensively.

When Love punched the air after his fourth and fifth points, it seemed Fermanagh believed a long overdue Ulster Championship win was to be theirs.

Yet the rule enhancements introduced this year have contributed to many momentum swings and this contest was about to lurch wildly towards the red and black corner.

While Shay Millar's point ended a 15-minute scoring drought for Down, Guinness' two-pointer was undoubtedly the turning point with seven minutes to go.

The Down fans in the 4,1576 crowd suddenly found their voice and there was a growing sense there was still something in this game for them.

Two minutes later he darted through, almost untouched, for a Down goal with five minutes to go.

Pat Havern's free and first point from play made it a level game with 90 seconds to go.

Fermanagh were rattled yet tried to mount an attack but turned the ball over after a wasteful pass out over the sideline.

Down weren't settling for extra time. Even struggling Down sides always have a capacity to score goals and after getting one, they fancied getting another.

And despite what looked like a throw ball in the build-up, play was allowed to continue and Kilcoo's Ryan McEvoy planted the ball into the Fermanagh net with time almost up.

When the ball was floated into the square for one last Erne attack, Jonny Cassidy hit it over the bar when a goal was needed and suddenly, somehow, Fermanagh's winning position evaporated as Down shrugged off a below-par display to scramble their way into the semi-finals.

Fermanagh: S McNally (0-3, all '45s'); C Cullen (0-2, tp), L Cullen, O Smyth; J Cassidy (0-2), D McCusker (0-1), F O'Brien (0-1, f); J McDade, D McGurn (0-2); C McGee, R Lyons (0-1), P Breen; J Largo Ellis (0-1), G Jones (0-4, 1f), C Love (0-5)

Subs: S McGullion for Breen (14), R McCaffrey (0-1) for Lyons (53), S Cassidy for McGee (58)

Down: R Burns (0-1, '45'); P McCarthy, P Fegan, C Doherty (0-1); R Magill, P Laverty, M Rooney; D Guinness (1-4, 1tp), R McEvoy (1-1); D Magill (0-2), O Murdock (0-2), E Branagan (0-2), J Guinness, P Havern (0-4, 3f), J McGeough (0-1)

Subs: A McClements for Rooney (47), S Millar (0-1) for D Magill (49), C Mooney for Branagan (51), C McCrickard for J Guinness (54), P Brooks for McGeough (62)

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)