Both these sides will have been happy enough to come away with a point after they both had chances to get over the line at a windy Teemore on Sunday.

Teemore manager Michael Wallace was satisfied with the point and was delighted with the performance of teenage forward Eoin McManus.

“I’m happy enough with the point to be fair,” he commented. “We had a chance with the last kick of the game but in saying that we were losing the second half for long periods. Derrygonnelly also had two goal chances but for two fine stops from our goalkeeper Sean Curry and full back Barry Owens stopping a certain goal on the line. I thought Eoin McManus was excellent, he hit 1-04 and for a cub of just 18 he will have a huge County future I’m sure for Fermanagh. For now though I just hope he concentrates on the club front this year.” And Derrygonnelly manager Paul Greene was equally philosophical after the game.

“We could have won it and we could have lost it. I will take the positives from the game and try to work on the negatives. We played well in patches but I felt we gave away too many scores way too cheaply for my liking. Teemore are a good side and they will give plenty of team’s problems this year. We now look to Devenish this weekend and know every game will be a major test,” he said.

The Harps started the brighter as Kevin Cassidy and Ryan Jones both pointed to go ahead by two points but they were pegged back by an Eoin McManus free and a terrific score from centre half back Joey Donegan to make it 0-02 apiece after 11 minutes.

Declan O’Reilly then took a short free which Eoin McManus lobbed over the bar to give the Shamrocks the lead and this was soon doubled as Ryan Maguire fed the in running McManus to make it 0-04 to 0-02.

Derrygonnelly hit a purple patch and with all their momentum Paul Ward was to score a well worked point before Ward again helped himself to another point to make it 0-04 at the break.

Patrick McManus, who was full of running all day, set up Declan Fitzpatrick before a blazing run from Conall Jones made the sides all level again at 0-05 apiece.

Declan Fitzpatrick, who was a constant threat for Teemore, then won a high ball in from Hugh Brady to nudge Teemore ahead once again, before an absolute blockbuster of a point from Brady, who launched a shot from midfield that saw his effort split the posts.

Derrygonnelly were up against it but in a rare attack Ryan Jones sprung a great ball into the on running Michael Jones who found Paul Ward and the dynamic corner forward buried his shot low to Sean Curry’s left to see the net rattle as the Harps moved one clear.

Eoin McManus soon restored parity as he pointed to make it, 1-05 to 0-08, but Derrygonnelly seemed to be getting on top and this was mainly down to the driving runs of Conall Jones. In the 47th minute the big midfielder raced clear and shot over from 35 yards to push Derrygonnelly back in the lead and under the watchful eye of County manager Pete McGrath.

Ryan Jones soon followed up with another point and Derrygonnelly seemed to be clear of a Teemore fightback. Eoin McManus popped over a free once again, but Derrygonnelly were breaking at pace time after time and once again Paul Ward was hauled down and he popped over the free to make it 1-08 to 0-09 with seven minutes remaining.

A long ball in by Teemore’s Patrick McManus then seemed to have deceived everyone but for the referee to award a Teemore penalty for a push, Eoin McManus coolly stepped up and sent Dermott Feely the wrong way to put the home side in front by one.

A Paul Ward free made the game level, but there was still time for Ryan Maguire to put Teemore ahead once again with time nearly up. Derrygonnelly then attacked and Cormac Glynn found Garvan McGinley who Ryan Jones and he had a one two with Kevin Cassidy before Conall Jones made it 1-10 apiece. One last chance was awarded to Teemore but the free from Eoin McManus just went to the wrong side of the posts and both sides had to settle for a point apiece.