AUGHDRUMSEE ........................ 1-9
NEWTOWNBUTLER ................... 4-8
Despite the fact that there was to be an eight point gap separating these sides at the interval, this game was to be a lot more balanced than that scoreline would perhaps indicate.
There was to be a riproaring start to the contest with Newtownbutler thundering in for a three goal salvo and though Aughdrumsee did manage to sandwich a goal in reply during that blitz, the damage had been done as far as Aughdrumsee were concerned.
However the second division side were not to be completely snowed under and they steadily reorganised themselves, so much so that in the second half they were to outscore the opposition and in fact, with the game now into the final quarter they had pegged back the deficit to just two points.
But Newtown, who had seen their once comfortable lead slide away, were to finish on a strong note. They returned to the attack and with a late brace of points and a fourth goal they once again sped well ahead.
Certainly no shortage of goalmouth action over a snappy opening ten minutes. Within seconds of the throw in Newtown had the ball in the Aughdrumsee net, Nathan Fitzpatrick driving in a rising shot to the roof of the net. Liam Donegan quickly added a second and it seemed that Aughdrumsee were headed for a demolition.
But Aughdrumsee bounced back with a goal in reply from Ryan Boyle and though they were to concede a third goal, this one coming from Conor Beggan, the match then settled down. Aughdrumsee had points from Sean McManus and Aiden Boyle with answering points for Newtown coming from James Mellarkey, Barry Connolly and Nathan Fitzpatrick.
Aughdrumsee were to be the more positive side after the resumption and they burrowed their way back into the match with a stream of points from a clutch of players and they looked like they might make a full recovery. But they ran out of steam over the final minutes, Newtown re establishing command and points for the First Fermanagh's from Luke Weaver and Nathan Fitzpatrick plus a Weaver goal had them well clear once again.
For Aughdrumsee, Paul Boyle was a steady defender, Sean McManus did sound work in midfield and Ryan Boyle featured in the attack.
Referee John Crudden Kinawley
St Patricks have an edge
ST PATRICK'S .......................... 1-11
BROOKEBORO ........................... 1-8
St Patrick's always held the slight edge in this encounter, leading by four points at the interval and never to be headed in the second half. A close enough tussle however with Brookeboro managing an especially spirited push after the changeover but they just couldn't bridge the deficit.
For the losing side, corner back Michael Rice turned in a tenacious performance and Sean McGeehan was an efficient organiser in the pivotal slot of centre back.
Up front for them, Niall Rooney had a good match with Aiden Boyle and Niall Moane also chipping in with neat displays.
As for St Patricks, Paul Cosgrove was their main figure around the middle of the park and he was to get sound support from Fergal Reilly. In their attack the main threat that they posed to the Brookeboro defence came from Jason Cadden while Joe McGovern was another to turn in a lively contribution to the team cause.
St Patrick's perhaps delivered their best football of the hour in the opening thirty minutes, a spell which saw them shoot a tally of seven points. Jason Cadden with his place kicking contributed the bulk of these with other scores coming from Joe McGovern and Paul Cosgrove.
Responding for Brookeboro were Niall Rooney, Ciaran and Niall Moane with a single each.
The second half was to see a goal for each side, both the end result of high balls lobbed into the respective goalmouths and the break was stabbed home by waiting forwards.
O'Neill for St Patricks and Rooney for Brookeboro were to be the goal marksmen.
Second half points in that brisk Brookeboro challenge came from Peter Mellarkey, Aiden Boyle and Sean Breen but St Patricks always had the edge with scores tacked on by Cadden and Cosgrove.
Referee Noel Davies Teemore.
