A last gasp Sean Bohan point handed St. Mary’s a share of the spoils with Fenagh.
The 61st minute equaliser gave St. Marys a vital point as they drew 2-12 to 1-15 writes Darren Mulvey in this Leitrim SFC round two meeting.
The quintessential game of two halves, St. Mary's led 2-6 to 0-7 at half-time. However, Fenagh dominated the second-half exchanges in an end-to-end game.
St. Marys signalled their intent from the off when captain Adam Reynolds crashed a first minute shot off Shane Doonans crossbar.
Indeed, Fenagh drew first blood through a wonderful two pointer from Fergal McLoughlin. Mary's structured running game saw them get men in space in the Fenagh defence and Oisín Bohan pointed in space on four minutes.
A wonderful goal by Cian Reynolds followed a minute later. The two Conors, Hackett for Marys and Dwyer for Fenagh traded points in the 10th minute before Riordan O'Rourke hit his first of four points to leave the minimum between the sides.
The response saw Mary's strike for their second goal through Paul Keaney. Keaney, soloing from just outside the 20m line and firing the ball low to the net.
Fenagh responded well, landing the next two scores from Riordan O'Rourke and Tom Gilheaney, before Cian Singleton clipped over a good point under pressure.
Paul Keaney stretched the lead with a two pointer free.
The hosts threatened to take off, but Fenagh battled well to see out the half. Ryan O'Rourke having the last word to send the sides on with five between them at the break. 2-6 to seven points.
Respective talismen Keaney and Ryan O'Rourke traded two pointers on the changeover. As did Reynolds and Riordan with one pointers in the first five minutes.
A long ball into the Mary's square was flicked goal-ward. However, a flying Oisín Bohan provided a goal line clearance, Wrynn putting the resultant 45 wide.
Fenagh began to take controls of the game in the middle third and it paid dividends on the scoreboard.
Oisín McLoughlin made a vital interception to cut out a Nicholas McWeeney pass bound for a free Mary's man at the back post. McLoughlin then added a point.
Then came the turning point on 49 minutes! Marys conceding a penalty through Adam Reynolds. Ryan O'Rourke went left to beat Killian Gaffey.
The O'Rourkes were now running the show. Ryan followed up the penalty with a huge one point effort and Riordan hit the go ahead score on 51 minutes. Fenagh leading for the first time since the second minute.
Riordan put Fenagh two up with his fourth from play on 55 minutes. Indeed, Fenagh keeper Shane Doonans was quick off his line to close down Nicholas McWeeney, with Fenagh clearing their lines.
Mary's ran the bench with Mark Lenehan, Josh Maye, and Senan Bohan now in the game, attempting to turn the tide.
However, it was Paul Keaney who dragged his side back level with a brace of points. One a free as the game approached the final whistle.
Fenagh has to be patient against a tigerish Marys defence, and a huge roar greeted Donal Wrynns go ahead score through traffic on 60 minutes.
However, as they did in the league final, Marys had another score in them. Sub Senan Bohan firing over from close range to restore parity on the scoreboard.
With four minutes of additional time played, Fenagh had one last play. However, a last gasp attempted winner from Donal Wrynn sailed right and wide, leaving both sides with a share of the spoils in this full blooded championship clash.
St. Mary’s 2-12 Fenagh 1-15.
St Marys: K Gaffey, N McWeeney, C Farrell, A Maziya, D Kelleher, A Reynolds, D Farrell, M Diffley, A Gardiner, C Reynolds, C Hackett, O Bohan, B Guckian, C Singleton, P Keaney
Subs: S Bohan for Kelleher 47, M Lenehan & J Maye for Maziya & Gardiner 56
Scorers: Paul Keaney 1-6 (1’2pf, 1’2p, 1f), Cian Reynolds 1-1, Cian Singleton, Conor Farrell, Oisín Bohan, Conor Hackett, Senan Bohan 0-1 each.
Fenagh St Caillins: S Doonan, O McLoughlin, C McGovern, E McLoughlin, A McLoughlin, D Wrynn, M Keegan, J Gilheaney, F McLoughlin, D McLoughlin, C McLoughlin, C Dwyer, T Gilheaney, Ryan O'Rourke, Riordan O'Rourke
Subs: C O'Rourke for A McLoughlin 23, J Gilheaney for Dwyer 50
Scorers: Ryan O'Rourke 1-4 (1f, 1’2pf, pen), Riordan O'Rourke 0-4, Fergal McLoughlin 0-2 (2pt), Conor Dwyer, Tom Gilheaney, D Wrynn 0-1 each.
