Ryan's deadly dozen as Fenagh blitz Sean O'Heslins in second half

The whispers these past few weeks in Leitrim GAA circles have been talking up Fenagh St Caillins and the blistering form of their talisman Ryan O'Rourke and if this  demolition of Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins is anything to go by, then the whispers were right!

Leading by just a point at halftime of an entertaining and fast paced encounter in Corlough GAA club's wonderful pitch, Fenagh St Caillins turned on the jets in the second half as they outscored their neighbours by 2-7 to 0-2 to record their second Masonite Division 1 victory of the campaign.

Of course, when you have someone like Ryan O'Rourke leading the line, you always have a great chance as the Leitrim man showcased all his skills, winning ball high, low, out in front, from behind and scoring a variety of points that drew appreciative gasps from the crowd.

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It was a stunning transformation and one that will leave Ballinamore a little bereft as they also lost Tom Prior to a serious looking ankle injury at the end of the first half. Without Prior, who was matching O'Rourke for impact on the game at that point, Ballinamore lacked an attacking edge and they seriously paid for it.

With Riordan O'Rourke, Conor Dwyer & Mark Keegan to come into this side, Fenagh have to be counted among the favourites for the Fenagh Cup although they'll be sweating on the fitness of Oisin McLoughlin who injured his knee late on.

What  really stood out was Fenagh's commitment to attack with the instructions from Joe & Tommy McCormack to go straight at the Ballinamore defence and to go at speed  - it was definitely an approach that worked for them and exposed a few holes in the Ballinamore defensive structure.

How much to read into this game is hard to know with the championship more than five weeks away but right now the signs are good for Fenagh.

Fergal McLoughlin and Ryan O’Rourke got Fenagh off to a bright start but two from Tom Prior inside the first six minutes had Ballinamore level. An Oisin McLoughlin free edged the visitors back in front before a quick counter attack and a brilliant Luke Murphy flick released Shane Moran through the centre to blast to the Fenagh net.

Fenagh’s response was impressive - Ryan O’Rourke swapped points with Paul Moran, the Ballinamore score made from a Shane Moran free to his brother Conor who found the third brother for a fine point.

Fenagh however hit back with nice points from Fergal and Oisin McLoughlin to tie the scores midway through the first half. Luke Murphy’s free edged his team back in front and when Paul Moran fielded a huge free from his brother Shane and held off a defender to score, Ballinamore led 1-5 to 0-6.

Fenagh's Tom Gilheaney handpasses the ball past Ballinamore's Liam Ferguson Picture: Willie Donnellan

Ryan O’Rourke pulled back a free but then came two goals in as many minutes - a quick break that saw Shane Moran and Luke Murphy swap passes ended with Paul Moran firing to the net.

It was a killer blow for Fenagh but they had the perfect response, Tom Gilheaney playing a one-two with Donal Wrynn before applying the killer finish and two Ryan O’Rourke frees meant Fenagh led 1-9 to 2-5 at the break.

Ballinamore, however, did suffer a huge blow before the break when Tom Prior was forced from the game with an ankle injury, a nasty looking one and it showed in the second half as O’Heslins only managed two points.

Fenagh set the tone early with two Ryan O’Rourke points, one a free, to go three clear. Paul Moran saw a shot bravely blocked but Ballinamore only had a fine Michael McKiernan point from a tight angle to show after some good pressure and they paid the price for it.

Oisin McLoughlin fielded a ball in his own area and set in train a move that literally went the length of the field to where Fergal McLoughlin finished to net, leaving Fenagh five points clear. Two minutes later, the lead was eight points as another swift attacking move ended with McLoughlin grabbing a second goal.

Ballinamore had no answer as Ryan O’Rourke fired over five points, two from frees, but there was bad news for Fenagh as Oisin McLoughlin had to be carried from the field with what looked like a serious enough leg injury. Ballinamore did add a late consolation point through a Paul Moran free but it was Fenagh who went home happy at the final whistle.

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BALLINAMORE SEAN O’HESLINS

Scorers: Paul Moran 13-; Shane Moran 1–0; Tom Prior 0-2; Michael McKiernan & Luke Murphy (f) 0-1 each

Team: Darren Maxwell, Brian Banks, Matthew Murphy, Michael McBrien, Conor Moran, Michael McKiernan, Cathal McHugh, Shane Moran, Senan Harte, Liam Ferguson, Dillon Beirne, Paul Moran, Tom Prior, Dean McGovern, Luke Murphy. Subs: Naoise McManus for Prior (32); James Honeyman for C Moran (45); Killian Maguire for Ferguson (54); Mark McGrory

FENAGH ST CAILLINS

Scorers: Ryan O’Rourke 0-12, 6f; Fergal McLoughlin 2-2; Tom Gilheaney 1-0; Oisin McLoughlin 0-2, 2f

Team: Ryan Smith, Aaron McLoughlin, Gary Butler, Michael Doonan, Eoin McLoughlin, Oisin McLoughlin, Conal McGovern, Jack Gilheaney, Donal Wrynn, Caolan McDermott, Tony Simms, Tom Gilheaney, Shane Smith, Ryan O’Rourke, Fergal McLoughlin. Subs: Shane Doonan for McDermott (HT); Caillin O’Rourke for S Doonan (51); Sean Keegan for O. McLoughlin (57)

Referee: Cyril McKeon