Fermanagh Premier manager Derek Sharpe was pleased with the work out his players received as they lost out on penalties in the Gary Bownes Memorial Cup at the Bawnacre Centre last Saturday.

Michael Dooris and Ciaran Smith had twice given Fermanagh the lead only for the Donegal Select outfit to hit back on both occasions to level.

And Fermanagh had a chance late on to win the game when they were awarded a penalty but Dooris’ effort was saved and the game went to a shoot-out that the Donegal side edged.

“It was a great contest and a very good game to watch for the spectators,” said Sharpe. “It was a fantastic workout for both sides and with four weeks now to go to the Milk Cup, things are moving along well. We also have no injury concerns at the minute which is a plus,” he said.

Both sides were to produce some good periods of football but it was Fermanagh who started the brighter with Callum Frempong causing problems down the right and Ollie Russell doing likewise on the opposite flank.

And with 25 minutes played Fermanagh were to take the lead with Frempong heavily involved in the build up. Neat interplay between Frempong, Timmy Boyd and Michael Dooris resulted in Dooris getting a shot in on goal and although the goalkeeper made the save, Dooris was on hand to nod home the rebound for 1-0.

However, Donegal were to level up matters prior to half time as a good diagonal ball from right to left was slotted past goalkeeper Jordan Coalter.

Fermanagh retained the same 11 at the start of the second half and again began the half strongly as they regained the lead after ten minutes when a ball into the box was handled by a Donegal defender. Ciaran Smith stepped up to take the resultant penalty which he slotted to the goalkeeper’s bottom right hand corner to make it 2-1.

Sharpe then rang the chances to give the remainder of the squad a run out and they were to lose momentum after this with Donegal enjoying a dominant spell over the next 15 minutes.

And it was during this period that they levelled for a second time following a good team move that left Fermanagh goalkeeper Jack Kerr no chance.

The home side though settled back into the contest after this and Dooris went close to putting Fermanagh back in front with a 25 yard effort that crashed off the crossbar before the late penalty.

Ryan Morris played through Jordan Breen who was taken down by the goalkeeper but Dooris saw his shot saved by the Donegal custodian.

There was to be no more action with the tie decided on penalties and it was the visitors who secured the win on a 5-4 scoreline.