Longford fell short in an enthralling Tailteann Cup opener with Fermanagh in Brewster Park.
Both sides traded scores inside the opening two minutes, Conor Love and Matthew Flynn both registered points from play.
Longford hit the back of the Fermanagh net after five minutes. Oisin O’Toole surged forward to raise the green flag. Oran Kenny followed this up with his first point of the day with the next phase of play.
After five minutes Longford led by three, 1-2 to 0-2.
Fermanagh struck five minutes later with a goal of their own. Conor Love found the back of the Longford net, as the sides were all square after 10 minutes.
Brendan Horan and Oran Kenny traded scores before Dylan Farrell raised the first two-pointer of the afternoon after 18 minutes.
Paddy Moran extended Longford’s lead out to four points. However, Fermanagh came back with points from Sean Cassidy, Darragh McGurn and Conor Love.
Joseph Hagan clipped over a point for Longford before Dylan Farrell landed a wonderful two-pointer for Longford, as half-time approached.
Fermanagh got the last score of the half through Joe McDade to bring it back to a one point ball game as the hooter sounded for half-time in Enniskillen.
At half time Longford led by one point, 1-10 to 1-9.
Fermanagh started the second-half strongly, hitting the four points without reply through Sean Cassidy, Mattie McDermott, Ciaran Corrigan and Ronan McCaffrey.
Dylan Farrell landed a huge 45 for Longford but again Mattie McDermott replied for the hosts. Fermanagh led by two after 45 minutes, 1-14 to 1-12.
Longford got their second goal of the contest on 47 minutes when Dylan Farrell reacted first to a loose ball, fisting the ball to the back of the Fermanagh net.
Longford led after 47 minutes, 2-12 to 1-14.
Fermanagh responded well with points from Mattie McDermott, Josh Largo Ellis, Darragh McGurn and Ciaran Corrigan.
Oran Kenny and Paddy Moran replied for Longford but a Stephen McGuillan two-pointer followed by efforts from Garvin Jones and Ronan McCaffrey was enough for the home side.
Dylan Farrell landed another two pointer at the death but it was Fermanagh who claimed victory in Enniskillen.
