Recent encounters between Fermanagh and Derry Ladies have been pretty one-sided in favour of the Erne County.

However, last Sunday it was a much tighter affair as the Oak Leaf County gave as good as they got.

And at one stage with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game, they were just a point behind.

But with February's LGFA Player of the Month, Eimear Smyth, continuing her fine scoring form with a 10-point haul, Fermanagh were able to grind out the win which ensured they topped Division Four and set up a semi-final clash with Carlow.

There was little to separate the sides in the first half until Bronagh Smyth rattled the net for Fermanagh with a minute left to be played and if Megan Maguire had not turned away a Derry penalty it could have been a much closer half-time scoreline.

Eimear Smyth and Joanne Doonan were on target early on for the home side, with Emma Doherty converting a free for Derry.

Eimear Smyth and Dara McKeever swapped points before the former rattled off three points on the bounce to open up a four-point gap.

Derry could have closed the gap to one shortly after but Maguire saved their penalty but Megan Devine did manage to point from the ensuing scramble.

With Fermanagh hitting two further points through Bláithín Bogue and Aoife McCabe, what could have been a one-point game turned into a five-point lead for the home side.

Impartial Reporter: Fermanagh's Bláithín Bogue in full flight with Derry's Sarah Hargan giving chase.Fermanagh's Bláithín Bogue in full flight with Derry's Sarah Hargan giving chase. (Image: Martin brady)

But Derry came back and half-forward, Erin Doherty did manage to beat Maguire to cut the lead to two. This was answered by a well-taken score from Elaine Maguire.

And just before the half-time whistle, Fermanagh were able to stretch their lead again when Bronagh Smyth made no mistake in finding the back of the Derry net and it was,1-09 to 1-03 at half time.

An Eimear Smyth free got Fermanagh up and running in the second half but Doherty would hit a point from a free and play to make it 1-10 to 1-06 after 40 minutes.

The sides would swap scores before a McKeever goal with 52 minutes played made it 1-11 to 2-07 and it was game well and truly on.

But Fermanagh did not panic and over the remaining minutes, three Eimear Smyth scores pushed Fermanagh out to a four-point victory in the end.