A late Mark Monaghan goal along with a point from half forward Kevin Martin, stole both points from Maguiresbridge in a poor team performance.

Bridge come close to shock win over Kinawley

Match Report From www.fermanagherald.com

MAGUIRESBRIDGE ......3-7
KINAWLEY ................2-11

Maguiresbridge came out of this game with promotion fancied Kinawley a very disappointed side for they had a shock victory within their grasp. They had led the contest from a very early stage, had gone in at the interval thoroughly deserving of their two point lead and on the changeover had given no indication whatsoever that they would run out of steam.

When they fired in a third goal an upset was very much on the cards and a Kinawley team were finding it exceptionally difficult to edge themselves back into contention. With the full sixty minutes completed it was the determined 'Bridge who still led and a famous win was within touching distance but in added on time disaster hit them.

They were guilty of some dreadful defending in allowing a long range Kinawley free from outfield to sail into the net and that score totally deflated them. The impetus had suddenly switched back to Kinawley and they drove forward to clinch the win with a late point.

It had been a remarkable turnaround but credit must also go to the Brian Boru's for despite facing a defeat as full time approached they stuck to the task of chasing the game and they were rewarded for their resolution.

It was Maguiresbridge who had much the more energetic and enterprising play in the first twenty minutes and this vigorous effort was to deliver two goals. Both were rapped home by the alert Liam Maye, the scores arriving in the tenth and twentieth minutes. Points from Niall Cunningham and Ronan Teague further bolstered the Maguiresbridge scoreline and with a struggling Kinawley restricted to occasional answers from Tomas Corrigan and Sean Leonard it was looking decidedly promising for the 'Bridge.

But their position was undermined somewhat a few minutes prior to half time when Kinawley were thrown a lifeline with a goal that brought them back within range.

On the resumption Maguiresbridge regained their promising position with a third goal this one neatly put away by Stephen Reihill but their effort was then to generally fall away as Kinawley worked hard to salvage the situation. They picked off scores from Corrigan and Drumm and with Shaun Doherty making his presence felt they just about kept themselves in with a chance.

It was still a slim one and the game looked to be beyond them before they were gifted the lifeline of the soft goal and they duly took full advantage of that to secure a hard earned win.

Referee Emmet Lavelle Lisnaskea.