Enniskillen Athletic 0 Tummery Athletic 3

Tummery Athletic will end the year at the top of the league after a 3-0 over Enniskillen Athletic kept them a point clear in Division One.

The reigning champions were two ahead by half time after goals from Paul McHugh and Martin Hughes, and Padraig Dillon added a third in the second half. Despite the convincing look of the score line, manager Ryan Hanna felt his side were not at their best.

“I don’t think we played particularly well for most of the game but in my opinion I don’t think the result was ever in doubt, although you never know until the game is over,” he said.

“For the first 15 or 20 minutes we were good. We had good intensity and good tempo to our play and we went one nil up, but after that it was like a switch was flicked.

“I thought we got sloppy and lost that intensity, and Athletic came into the game a bit more. They were decent on the counter and had a few half chances.

“In the second half I thought we were better than we were in the first half, and at 3-0 it was about managing the game. We could have pushed on and tried to get a fourth and a fifth, but we didn’t. We managed it and kept a clean sheet.

“I am really happy with 23/24 so far. We are in a good place but there is a lot of games to play. The squad is getting a bit more competitive now and we are going to attack 2024 like we did last year.”

Athletic manager Darren Rodgers felt the scoreline was a bit harsh on his side.

“We didn’t play too bad, we created good chances but unfortunately couldn’t take them. Their keeper made two very good saves at 1-0 down to keep it level and their second goal on half time was hard to take.

“We put more pressure on them in the second half and had a few good openings and hit the bar.

“It was a good showing against the league champions and I think 3-0 flattered them a bit,” he said.

It was an even opening to the contest with Ethan McCaffrey in the Tummery goal making a few routine saves, before Tummery broke the deadlock after 18 minutes when Gerard Duddy burst down the right and delivered a low cross that was converted by Paul McHugh.

Adrian McCaffrey then had an effort cleared off the goal line and Marty Hughes spurned a good chance when he fired into the side netting from a tight angle as Tummery looked to add to their advantage, while at the other end Ciaran Flaherty and Garvan Quigley forced saves out of McCaffrey.

However, Tummery added a second on the stroke of half time. Duddy was causing problems on the right wing and he got in behind the defence again and drilled a low cross between the retreating defenders and the goalkeeper for Hughes to tap in at the back post.

The victory was confirmed by a goal from substitute Padraig Dillon midway through the second half, with Duddy completing a hat-trick of assists with yet another right wing cross.