County Fermanagh 0 County Antrim 1

Fermanagh were made to pay for not taking their goalscoring chances, as they lost 1-0 to County Antrim at Inver Park in the STATSports Super Cup NI opening match.

The two county sides were given the honour of playing the first game in the Premier section, but it was Antrim who took the points, despite Fermanagh dominating for long periods.

“We deserved more, but football is a cruel game at times,” said Fermanagh manager Keith Douglas after the match.

“You don’t always get what you deserve and at this level you get punished if you don’t take your chances. We competed very well throughout the match against a top-quality side. Our level of performance was very high, culminating in the creation of more goalscoring opportunities than our opponents.

“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t take our opportunities, whereas Antrim made the crucial breakthrough with what was perhaps their only meaningful effort of the afternoon.”

County Antrim were touted as a potential winner of the tournament, but from the kick off Fermanagh showed they were a match for the best sides in the competition as they pushed their county rivals back.

Sean Conlon was a threat in the air from set pieces and glanced several headers just wide of the post, while Josh Killilea tested the goal keeper.

Corey Smith was influential in the Fermanagh midfield and he fired just off target in a first half packed with chances but no goals.

Fermanagh captain Aaron Smyton and midfield partner Killilea were the driving force for Fermanagh in the centre of the pitch, but despite their efforts it was Antrim that took the lead through Glenavon player Aaron Prendergast, who controlled a deep cross and fired past Jamie Ray at the back post.

Fermanagh continued to create chances.

Tommy Connolly fired narrowly wide before Danny Wilson and Smith both came close to an equaliser, but Fermanagh could not find the equaliser before time ran out.

Fermanagh: Jamie Ray, Alex Brownlee, Ben McLaren, Aaron Smyton, Alex Little, Josh Killilea, Alex Magee, Tommy Connolly, Corey Smith, Sean Conlon, Kealán Fitzpatrick. Subs: Harvey Latimer, Jamie Steele, Jamie McCaffrey, Kyle Deery, Daniel Farrell, Joel Byrne, Danny Wilson