’Mor the merrier as they do it by dozen

brought off another great save from the striker in the early minutes of the second half.

The pressure told when from the resulting corner Brendan Hughes rose unchallenged in the middle of the crowded goalmouth to powerfully head to the net after 51 minutes. A combination of Mullen and the post prevented substitute Paudie Hearty increasing the lead a few minutes later.

Then, shortly after, Quay substitute Sean Matthews had his side’s best chance from open play. David Boyle rode a challenge from Paul Mallon near half-way and sprayed a low pass into wide open space on his left for Matthews, with a free channel to bear down on goal. He chose to let fly from the edge of the box and David Cooney managed to tip his rising shot over the bar.

Four minutes later Smith seemed to have clinched victory when he broke through two defenders, beat another as he closed in on goal from the left and with precision steered the ball low inside the far post.

However, the double penalty drama threw the outcome into the melting pot until Gary Clarke’s decisive thrust. MUIRHEVNAMOR: David Cooney, Craig Dixon, Paul Mallon (Conal Mulvenna 69), Connor Mulvenna, Brian Begley, Sean Conlon (Paudie Hearty 56), Gary Clarke, Mickey O’Kane, Ray McCann, Brendan Hughes, Billy Smith. Other subs Damien Ralph, Andy Gray.

QUAY: Kevin Mullen, Gavin Toner, Robbie Gavigan, Paddy Reilly, David Redmond, Paddy Connor (Sean Matthews 54), Johnny Winters, Denis Cholach, Shaun O’Connor (Gavin Donnelly 62), Vinny Smith, David Boyle (Dannan Killeen 89).

REFEREE: Tommy Little. Assistants: Joe Dyas and Simon Halpenny.