There was very little between the two teams and in the end up it was the Cup holders that edged the result as Colin Stronge was sent off as Clabby Strollers gave a very good account of themselves and showed they could hold their own in the top flight.

    Lisnaskea had the first effort on goal when Tommy Armitage slipped the ball through for Greg O’Donnell who only half hit a shot as the Clabby keeper Trevor Camley pushed the ball around for a corner. Armiatge was at the heart of most of Rovers’ good play as he floated in a free kick for Aaron Maguire to head on for the in coming Kevin Curran who headed the ball against the crossbar from six yards as Keith Malone cleared the danger.

    James McKenna, who had that fine strike against Lisbellaw in the last round, did well to the play ball on for Curran who fired a shot into the side netting from eight yards after 18 minutes.

    Clabby, after a slow start, came more into the game in the last 20 minutes of the opening half as they had appeals for a penalty waved away after 28 minutes when Roger Howe fired in a shot which deflected off O’Donnell with claims from Clabby for hand ball but referee Cyril Walker was having none of it.

    On 34 minutes, Clabby’s Malone played the ball down the right for Neil Moffatt who moved forward and played a cross into the goal area with Derek Brown coming in to head the ball goalwards but Lisnaskea keeper Barry Clingan collected the ball well, showing he has lost none of his ability as a keeper.

    It was Clabby who were now asking the questions as Derek Brownlow’s 25 yard free kick was saved low down at the bottom right hand post by Clingan after 42 minutes. Then with only 90 seconds to the break, Malcolm Brown’s long throw found brother Derek and he shot on turn with Clingan saving.

    Lisnaskea on the whistle for the interval nearly made the break through when O’Donnell broke clear but Camley was out to save bravely at O’Donnell’s feet. Lisnaskea began the second half well with Owen Mooney’s free kick being pushed away by Camley for a corner and from the resulting corner Maguire’s downward header was hooked clear by Raymond Carroll.

    Clabby had the woodwork to thank for saving them for a second time when on 53 minutes Mooney whipped in a fine cross which was headed against the bar by James West, with David Little making the clearance from the rebound. Minutes later Rovers had the ball in the net from a Glen Monahan free kick with Maguire scoring but referee Walker had blown for a free kick against McKenna for pushing.

    On the hour, some good play by West saw him find Armitage but his right foot shot was well saved by Camley in the Clabby goals.

    Then on 70 minutes, came the decisive moment in this quarter final when West went down the left flank and as Colin Stronge attempted to move out and play offside, West played the ball through with the referee adjudging that Stronge played Curran on and as keeper Camley came out, Curran rounded him and from eight yards hit a right foot shot which saw Stronge get back and punch the ball on to the post. Referee Walker awarded Rovers a penalty and dismissed Stronge with Mooney scoring the resulting spot kick for 1-0 but Clabby felt strongly that Curran was offside in the first place.

    Derek Brown had a long range effort saved by Clingan and then Brown turned provider as he played Moffatt in on goal but again Clingan was out to save.