Talking points from Cork footballers dramatic victory over Fermanagh

Character 

It would have been a difficult few weeks for everyone involved with the Cork senior football team, and the stakes weren't any higher than today at St Joseph’s Park in Ederney against a tough Fermanagh side. 

To their credit, Cork showed a side to their game that they haven’t been able to show in the first three games of the season. The atmosphere was bouncing before throw-in with the home side on three points from three games. The bubble would eventually burst. 

Goalkeeper 

Christopher Kelly made his first league start of the new season in the Cavan game last weekend, and he got his opportunity to impress once more and the Éire Óg netminder certainly played his part in the win. Kelly made an outstanding save after seven minutes when he denied Fermanagh a goal. 

Shane McGullion was nearly running away to celebrate, but Kelly got down well. 

His kick-outs were also quite good.

Fermanagh led 0-14 to 0-13 as the game ticked into injury time, and they had a goal opportunity, which would have more than likely handed them the win and the two league points, but McGullion wasn’t going to beat Kelly, as he made himself big to deny the home side a certain goal. 

A minute later, Cork went down the other end to score the goal, which gave them a first win of the season.

Injury-time goal 

It has been something that Cleary has harped on about for weeks, but taking the chances when they arrive are crucial, something that Cork hadn’t been able to do in the first few weeks of the new league season.

It was still a problem above in Ederney, as on another day, the Rebels would have scored at least three goals; they did get one, which was enough.

It was a great team move, using their experience and composure to open up the Fermanagh defence. Ruairí Deane could have had a go, but saw an unmarked Maurice Shanley at the back post and he palmed the ball into the net.

First win 

The relief on Cork’s faces after the game told the story really, at the fourth attempt a first win of the season. 

It had been a tough start for everyone concerned, but they can sleep easy this week now. The small band of Cork supporters that made the long journey up the country applauded the team as they went off the pitch, which was a nice moment. 

The big question now is can the Leesiders go on a run now? 

Kildare at home next weekend was always going to be a huge one, regardless of what happened up in Fermanagh.