FERMANAGH........................... 2 -3

DONEGAL ............................... 1-7

In Division 2b, Round 3 of the Ulster Minor League, played at Belleek, the Fermanagh hurlers put up a brave display that just fell short of a shock win.

In a game of two halves, where Fermanagh nearly proved themselves the come back kids.

Coming from a position of having conceded 1-7 to 0-0 to notch their very first score 15 minutes into the second-half through midfielder, Francie McBrien.

IMPRESSIVE

He went on to add further 1 goal and 3, and shared the scoring spoils with the impressive Sean Corrigan who, in the 52nd minute, connected with a pass floated in from midfielder David Harte for Fermanagh's second goal.

In fact, the final 10 minutes witnessed a previously hapless Fermanagh turn almost certain defeat into victory, and that might have been the case but for earlier wides from frees, 65's and from play.

SATISFACTION

But, Fermanagh can derive satisfaction on two fronts: the fact they lost by a single point and prevented Donegal pucking a single score in the last 30 minutes of an engrossing final half. And the second was the fact Fermanagh side were able to play with confidence and élan without their star attacker, John Duffy.

With Duffy back in the fold rel success is surely just around the corner.

Teams

Fermanagh

Dwayne McPhillips, Paul Teague, Niall Lunney, Daniel Teague, Kevin Brannigan, J.P. McGarry, Eoin Markey, David Harte, Francie Mc Brien (1 gl. 3 pts. ), Rory Porteous, Shea Curran, Sean Corrigan (1 gl.), Michael Fee, Ciaran McGrade, Garry Donegan. Sub - Kevin Mohan for Lunney.

Donegal - Darragh O'Brien, Brendan Tourish, Dean McDavid, Stephen Ryan, Callum Wade, Michael McGee, Sean McVeigh (2 pts.), Phillip Harkin, Caolan Killgallon (1 pt.) , Lee Henderson (1 gl. 4 pts.), Mal Gashen, Caolan Diver, Dara Grant, Ciaran O'Malley. Subs. Lee Scanlon, Nial Fitzimons, Richaed Kee, Peader O'Keefe, Sean McLauglin, Brendan McMenamin, Liam Cullen, Ronan Walsh.