On a day when Tyrone were decimated with injuries it was the lesser known individuals on the panel that stood up to the mark in fine style, as they guided Kevin McNaughton's men through to next weekend's second round meeting with London.
On reflection it was no more than Tyrone deserved because throughout the afternoon, they produced the better passages of hurling with Shay McKiver, Mark Winters, Conor Gallagher and Paddy Devine posing all sorts of problems for the Erne men.
Tyrone deservedly led 1-5 to 1-4, at the interval, but they faced an uphill challenge on the resumption, as Eire Og's club man Leigh Moore was harshly dismissed on a second yellow card.
Fermanagh were unable to build any momentum with their numerical advantage, and as Tyrone hurled with greater conviction, the accuracy of man of the match Gallagher from frees saw them open up a decisive cushion entering the final ten minutes.
While dominating the play Tyrone were unable to put the game to bed, and a wides tally of seven to one in the second half alone speaks volumes for their display, as they made light of their reduced personnel to claim a richly deserved and, perhaps more importantly, a morale boosting win.
Declan McGarry, Jason McManus and young Ryan Bogue tried to rally Fermanagh, at various stages, but at no time did they look like taking control, with their reliance on Bogue for scores proving costly.
Tyrone made the best possible start to the game with John Kerr pointing in the opening minute before good pressure from David Lavery and Cormac McHugh sent the Carrickmore man through for a second minute goal.

A single point to spare

A McMahon point increased the lead, but Fermanagh were right back in the hunt on 10 minutes, when Corrigan crossed for Breslin to fire past Tyrone keeper Niall Gallagher for a 1-2 to 1-0 deficit.
Devine extended Tyrone's lead and with the pace of McKiver and Devine unsettling the home defence, Tyrone looked set to take control.
Kerr missed a glorious goal-scoring chance, and as both teams battled for supremacy, Fermanagh were awarded a 15th minute penalty for a foul that earned Moore a yellow card. Tyrone keeper Gallagher denied Kehoe's attempted penalty conversion before Bogue drilled over a free to
signal a shift in the balance of power.
Swapped frees (two each) from Bogue and Lavery insured the game remained in the balance approaching the break before Tyrone were dealt a blow, when Moore collected his second booking for a wild pull on McManus.
Points from Devine and Gallagher within three minutes of the restart highlighted Tyrone desires for success and, while Bogue and McManus responded with frees it was evident that they were struggling to break down a resolute Tyrone defence.
Winters and McElroy made notable clearances with three superb Gallagher frees handing Tyrone a 1-10 to 1-7 lead by the 25th minute.
Lavery pushed Tyrone four clear before Fermanagh staged a late rally in an effort to rescue the game. Tyrone keeper Gallagher with a few long relieving clearances, while Winters produced an excellent goal line clearance, as Fermanagh turned the screw.
Fermanagh did ensure a frantic conclusion in what was at times a fiercely contested derby in injury time, when Corrigan scrambled home a goal, after Bogue's side line cut wasn't cleared.
Seconds later substitute Curran saw a goal disallowed for a square ball infringement. It may have been harsh, but Fermanagh's overall performance didn't warrant a smash and grab win.



Read the review for next week's match with the Exiles in the TYRONE TIMES. On sale in every good newsagent in South Tyrone now!