Antrim 5-10
Fermanagh 2-8

Antrim's ability to score goals proved too much for Fermanagh in today's Ulster MFC quarter-final at Brewster Park.

Conor Small (two), Ruairi Scott, James McAuley and Ben Rice all found the net in what was an impressive victory for the visitors. The writing was on the wall for Fermanagh when they trailed by 0-2 to 3-5 at half-time.

Small gave the visitors a dream start with his first goal after just 30 seconds. The centre forward added a point before Shane Rooney opened the Erne County's account.

Ruairi Scott and Matthew McGrade traded frees before Fermanagh goalkeeper Colin Copeland came to his side's rescue with a brilliant save to deny Seamus McGarry at the expense of a '45' which Scott converted.

That point gave Antrim a 1-3 to 0-2 lead after 22 minutes, but their advantage would have been greater but for eight wides. The Saffrons' dominance was eventually reflected on the scoreboard when they struck for two goals from Small and Scott before the interval.

Shane Rooney rattled the post at the other end as the visitors took a 12-point lead into the break.

McGrade slotted his second free on the restart, but Antrim continued to look dangerous as Small missed a great chance to complete his hat-trick. But James McAuley made no mistake moments later to give the Saffrons a 4-5 to 0-3 lead.

Fermanagh, to their credit, didn't give up, replying with points from Liam Maguire and Gavin Jones and a JJ O'Brien goal to reduce the gap to 10 points, 1-6 to 4-7.

The hosts continued to make inroads into the Antrim lead when another Rooney free was followed by their second goal from Liam Maguire following a mistake by the Antrim goalkeeper.

But Antrim were able to step it up again with Ben Rice adding a fifth goal late on to seal an emphatic victory.

Antrim - A Hasson; R Delargy, T McGovern, P Mackle; P McGreevey, P McParland, C Mallon; R Scott (1-5, 0-1'45, 0-1f), R McNulty; J McAuley (1-1), C Small (2-1), J Connolly; S McGarry (0-1f), B Corr, O Eastwood (0-1f). Subs: B Rice (1-1) for J McAuley, R Hannigan for J Connolly, C Eastwood for C Mallon, C Flynn for B Corr.

Fermanagh - C Copeland; T McHugh, S Mimna, E Cassidy; R McCaffrey, C McManus, D Leonard; C McAuley (0-1), G Jones (0-1); S Rooney (0-3, 1f), G Fox, R Kelly; M McGrade (0-2f), L Maguire (1-1, 0-1'45), JJ O'Brien (1-0). Subs: P Hyde for C McManus (BC), O McGee for M McGrade, C Hoy for G Fox, D Russell for R McCaffrey.

Referee - N McKenna. Tweet

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