AIB Ulster Club JFC quarter-final: Newtownbutler First Fermanaghs (Fermanagh) 1-15 St Patrick’s, Drumgath (Down) 1-9
A DOMINANT second half performance saw Newtownbutler advance to the semi-final of the Ulster Club JFC.
Just a point separated the sides at the break but Newtown’ outscored Drumgath 0-9 to 0-3 in a one sided second half at Brewster Park.
Half-back Jarlath Jackman top scored for the Fermanagh men with six points, four coming from frees, while James Connolly, Brendan McBrien and midfielder Ryan Carson were all impressive for the winners.
Packie Downey was the best performer on a Drumgath side that simply never got going in the second half and it was Donwey’s goal just before half-time that brought his side back into the game.
McBrien had struck for a clever goal for the Fermanagh champions on the quarterhour mark when he drilled home from a 13-metre free with the Drumgath defence slow to take up position on the line.
Connolly and Frank Mulligan were on target for Newtown’ in the first half with Mark Connolly replying with frees for the Down men.
Newtown’ had opened up a four-point advantage as the half-time whistle drew closer when Downey intercepted a stray pass to solo through and finish with style to the net.
After the break, though, it was all Newtowbutler as McBrien, Mulligan and Jackman added early scores and, although Drumgath kept in touch through Connolly and Downey, they never looked like winning the game.
With three points separating the sides Newtown’ hit a real purple patch to score four in row with two coming from impressive substitute Conor Beggan.
Drumgath finished the game with 13 men with both Gary O’Reilly, with two yellows, and Miceal Quinn late on departing.
In the end, Newtownbutler were good value for their six point win and they will be a dangerous proposition in Ulster as they continue to improve.
MATCH STATS
Newtownbutler: G Mullaney; C Maguire, D O’Keefe, S McDonald, J Flanagan, J Maguire, J Jackman (0-6 0-4 frees); J Maguire, N Mohan; R Carson, J Connolly (0-3, 0-1 frees), B McBrien (1-2 frees), F Mulligan (0-2), S Leonard, P Mullaney. Subs: E Maguire for J Maguire (39), C Beggan (0-2) for Leonard (43), L Lynch for McBrien (56).
Drumgath: C Parsons, M McConville, R McCusker, R Traynor, G O’Reilly (0-1), P Hillen, C Tumelty, M Quinn (0-1), C Maginn, P Lively, P Downey (1-3), C Maginn, R Hillen (0-1), J Lynch, M Connolly (0-3, 0-1 frees) Subs: T Burns for P Hillen (h-t), L Hynes for C Maginn (41), A Sloan for McCusker (56).
Referee: A Marron (Monaghan)
