A BRENDAN Boyle goal seven minutes into the second half propelled Newtownstewart to a deserving victory over Drumragh in an error ridden Junior Championship quarterfinal clash, at Fintona on Sunday.

In the final analysis Newtown deserved their success, but the manner in which they achieved it will give manager Vincent Gallagher cause for concern, as they await their semi final opposition.

The St Eugene's dominated for long periods, but they struggled to make any headway against a Drumragh defence, who defended heroically throughout. Goalkeeper Conor O'Doherty, Chris O'Doherty and Niall McGrath were the reason why Drumragh were still in contention, at the break as Drumragh laboured against a competent Newtown team.

Gavin Quinn, Gareth Haughey and Martin Taggart succeeded in causing Newtown problems, but for the second game running the midfield pairing of Kevin Gallagher and Brendan Boyle provided Newtown with a match-winning platform. The duo excelled with Boyle's goal deflating Drumragh's feeble challenge. Paul McKernan, Jude Lynch, Dean Arnold and Mickey McConomy also contributed handsomely to their success.

Newtown applied pressure from the outset, but inspired by a superb Chris O'Doherty block, Martin Taggart created the space for himself before edging Drumragh into the lead on four minutes. Several chances went a begging and as both teams battled for control, it was clear that Newtownstewart were the better team. Boyle and Gallagher were feeding a continuous flow of possession to their forwards, but time and time again Drumragh repelled them as a low scoring contest developed.

Drumragh goalkeeper O'Doherty denied Declan McConnell a goal before the St Eugene's levelled proceedings on 19 minutes thanks to a quality McKernan point. Taggart and Boyle swapped points as both teams struggled to turn their hard fought possession into scores before Arnold finished off a flowing move featuring Gallagher and McNamee on 25 minutes for a 0-3 to 0-2 lead. Within a minute Drumragh were level courtesy of a superb long range free from Gavin Quinn, as the two teams entered the break hoping for a marked improvement on the restart.

The quality and the standard of football improved on the resumption, but it was mostly from Newtownstewart, as they translated their possession into scores. Boyle punished a foul on McConomy within a minute of the restart, and as Drumragh's profligacy continued, they were dealt a massive setback on seven minutes, when Boyle fisted an Arnold free to the net for a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

As Drumragh wilted points from Damien Patton, McNamee and two Arnold

frees eased Newtown into the comfort zone, 1-8 to 0-3 after 48 minutes.

McKernan and Paul Houston were solid in defence, but they were given a scare when Gallagher hesitated, when put through on goal. He slipped the ball to Eamon McCann, who drilled wide before the Sarsfield's opened their second half account with a 52nd minute goal.