Conor Beggan reaches to the sky for the ball in front of the Devenish goal
Devenish 3-12
Newtownbutler 2-11
Devenish who had lost a rescheduled fixture on Friday evening to St Patricks bounced back on Sunday lunchtime to score a good home success over Newtownbutler to keep themselves well in the chase for a top four slot at the end of the campaign.
It was not until the second half however that the Blues were to push out into the lead on a sustained basis for over the opening half they had found themselves pressed hard by an opposition which was well up for the business.
At the interval the sides were locked level on 2-5 each and with the wind now to assist them in the second half Newtown looked to be in the stronger position.
But it was Devenish who were able to up the intensity of their game and a goal from Chris O’Brien around the threequarter mark was to prove critical.
It eased Devenish that little bit more securely in front and from there to the finish they had enough in hand to maintain their advantage.
Newtown had a tonic opening with a goal popped in by the alert James Connolly and this score boosted the First Fermanagh’s for the remainder of what was to be a well contested and lively thirty minutes.
The scores flowed at both ends of the park, Connolly picking up his second goal of the tie at the midway stage and points for the visitors were to be supplied by Brendan McBrien with placed kicks and from the promising Jason Flanagan.
Devenish had responded to Newtown’s early goal with a similar score from John O’Flanagan who was in the right place to fist home a neat ball centred across the face of goal. O’Flanagan added points with points also coming from Chris and Martin O’ Brien but Devenish seemed to be heading into the break in arrears.
However two minutes before the interval they collected their second goal, Marty O’Brien running in from midfield to drive home a well struck shot.
Chris O’Brien who was once again a dangerous threat at corner forward, he is enjoying a rich seam of form, was much to the fore in Devenish’s early second half drive and it was he who snatched what was the decisive third goal that opened up a gap between the sides.
O’Brien was also to pick off some points with Darren Brady also on the board and John O’Flanagan with two late pointed frees clinched the Devenish win.
Newtown despite having the wind to aid them after the changeover were not quite as forceful as they had been in the first half and they could only add a five point riposte, Colm Monaghan’s successful strikes from two 45’s the highlight of their effort. Brendan Mc Brien and Ryan Carson also chipped in but the Devenish third goal had scuppered Newtown’s chances.
For Devenish, Martin Doherty was a tenacious wing half back with Marty O’Brien a powerhouse in centrefield while for Newtown Colm Monaghan and Ryan Carson were the more consistent operators.