Fermanagh Juniors were edged out on penalties in the Gary Bownes Memorial Cup game at the Bawnacre on Saturday but manager Ryan Beacom felt it was another worthwhile workout for his squad.

Beacom was missing three players for the encounter but feels the lads who came in all acquitted themselves well.

“We had three players injured so the squad was a bit thin when you take into account that Donegal had 20 players with them. In saying that though it was an opportunity for the lads on the fringes to come in and estasblish themselves and I thought they all did well,” he said.

On the game itself, Beacom added: “Donegal were certainly the stronger side in the first half but we were stronger in the second. It was a game of two halves.” Donegal had the better of the exchanges in the first half and went close to taking the lead only for one effort to rattle off the croassbar.

On another occasion a Donegal striker was put in one-on-one with Fermanagh goalkeeper Ollie Scallon but he managed to come out and smother the danger to keep it scoreless.

Fermanagh did have a couple of half chances in the first half but they failed to work the goalkeeper as the sides went in goalless at the interval.

However, the visitors were to take the lead five minutes into the second half when a lack of communication at the back saw a route one ball allowed to bounce over the defence for a striker to run on to and slot home for 1-0.

Fermanagh though began to get a footing in the contest after this with Lorcan McStravick amd Caolan Ward both going close before Jake Irvine grabbed the equaliser with ten minutes to go.

Fermanagh showed good patience as they retained possession before moving the ball to Ward. He in turn spotted Irvine’s intelligent run to slip him in and Irvine made no mistake in firing home.

The home side looked the more likely winner in the latter stages of the contest but they could not find a winner and it left the tie to be decided on penalties.

After five kicks each the game things were tied at 4-4 but it was Donegal who were to go on and secure the win 7-6.