Swifts close the gap
LISNARICK...........................................0
SPAMOUNT SWIFTS..............................3
SWIFTS are perfectly positioned to mount a serious tilt for promotion at the turn of the year after making light work of Lisnarick at a fog-shrouded Byrne Park on Saturday.
Despite a six-week lay-off, the north Tyrone visitors hit the ground running and goals by Damien Keenan and Mark Catterson left John McMenamin's troops firmly in control at the interval.
Lisnarick upped the ante on the resumption of the new half but after goalkeeper Conor Lynch pulled off a stunning save, Swifts again took command of their destiny with substitute Sean McMenamin netting to take his side within a point of league leaders Omagh Hospitals and six clear of Dunbreen Rovers.
Swifts opened impressively and on 20 minutes deservedly hit the front when Martin Bonnar whipped over a delicious delivery from the left for hitman Keenan to head high into the net from the penalty spot.
Less than 10 minutes later Keenan turned provider, taking Damian McDevitt's pass in his stride on the right before crossing for Catterson to run in behind the home rearguard and round the goalkeeper.
The visitors were then denied what appeared to be legitimate claim for a penalty when Keenan was sent sprawling and, after Lynch made that crucial stop, centre-back Aiden O'Kane strode forward to chip a shot against the crossbar.
At this point Lisnarick were a spent force and, after the introduction of Brain Catterson, Swifts finished with a flourish with McMenamin surging onto a Devenney through ball to net the insurance goal.
Stalmate at Augher
AUGHER STARS................................................2
DUNBREEN ROVERS.........................................2
STUTTERING Dunbreen Rovers lost ground on the promotion contenders by twice conceding the lead in an evenly contested game at Augher Playing Fields, the Stars earning a share of the spoils thanks to a late penalty by Mark Mulligan.
Mulligan also struck the home side's first equaliser from the edge of the box after the visitors seized the early initiative through Sean Nugent, who charged on to an exquisite through ball from Patrick Lynch to chip the goalkeeper.
Both sides had their opportunities thereafter but it was 15 minutes from time before Rovers again nudged ahead. Nugent appeared to be chasing a lost cause but somehow managed to won the ball and duly delivered the perfect cross for right-sided midfielder Gary Quinn to control and fire expertly across Ronnie Gillespie, who had earlier replaced the injured Stephen Adams in the home goal.
John Crawford's visitors though failed to hold on and after surging midfielder Willie Allister went down under a reckless challenge by Kyle Moore in the penalty area, Mulligan showed nerves of steel to secure a precious point for Stars.
Moments earlier, Augher had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Allister was again allegedly fouled while Rovers' Michael Donnelly shot hopelessly wide from the 12-yard mark in the first half .
