Aghadrumsee 1-09 Drumhowan 1-10
Aghadrumsee’s hopes of an Ulster semi-final clash were dashed in a narrow loss to Monaghan champions Drumhowan in the Ulster Junior Club Championship.
Sunday’s game was played in the familiar surroundings of Shamrock Park in Roslea with rainfall just prior to throw-in leading to a slippery surface.
The sides were level at halftime and despite Aghadrumsee going ahead twice in a tight second half, Drumhowan’s three points in a six-minute spell just past the midway point proved pivotal.
Magpies’ manager Jason O’Connor said: “What can I say only that I was devastated, still very raw but my God I am so so proud of the whole panel of players, nobody gave us a chance against Drumhowan and I feel we should have at least got a draw and into extra time.
"But, unfortunately, we didn't take our chances, the game itself was nip and tuck the whole way through and there was never more than two points between the sides at any time.
"It was a real challenge for our lads and one they really stood up to.
"Drumhowan just hung on at the end and got through and I wish them the very best of luck going forward in Ulster and, as for our lads, what an amazing group of lads they all are and have never ever let themselves down this year and they represented Fermanagh football so well yesterday.
"They have put a smile on all Aghadrumsee supporters this year and have been an absolute credit to themselves, can't speak highly enough of them all.”
The Erne side took the lead in the fourth minute as midfielder Darren Kearns’ shot dropped just over the bar and after Drumhowan hit three wides they levelled the game when space opened up for Tom Doherty who lifted his shot over.
Liam McGuirk put Drumhowan ahead on 12 minutes but Aghadrumsee hit back with a goal, a minute later.
A ball towards the square saw the ball drop for Dale Crudden who had his shot saved and it fell to Martin O’Hara, who also had his first attempt saved by Enda Duffy, but the ball bounced back up to the full-forward who fisted it over the grounded goalkeeper and into the net.
Eddie Courtney and Caolan Reilly exchanged points and a quickly taken free from Aiden Quinn was put over by Doherty.
Courtney converted another free but that was met with a Drumhowan goal as a slick hand-passing move saw the ball fisted across for McGuirk to place in a low shot to the net, at the near post, 1-04 to 1-05.
Killian McAdam knocked over a point from play in between frees from Courtney and Aiden Bannon to see the sides go in the dressing rooms at 1-05 each.
Aodhan Durnian spiralled a long kick between the sticks, four minutes into the second half, to edge Aghadrumsee ahead.
Reilly levelled the game but Aiden Bannon’s lofted free regained the St Macartans’ advantage.
An audacious kick from McGuirk, close to the sideline, raised the white flag and Kevin Mooney then put Drumhowan ahead.
Mooney put two between the teams with under ten minutes remaining.
A darting run from midfielder Damien McCarville allowed him room to point, 1-09 to 1-08.
With two minutes of normal time to go, Reilly skied an effort into the grey heavens at Shamrock Park and the ball descended inside the posts.
Aghadrumsee gave themselves a chance with Durnien’s late point but they squandered two attacks late on to equalise, to cap off their season.
Drumhowan face Derry side Craigbane in the semis.
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