Fermanagh boss Pete McGrath credited his players despite their late comeback falling just short against Antrim.
The Ernesiders were favourites to progress to an Ulster SFC semi-final at home to the Saffrons but a late burst of 2-04 wasn’t enough to overtake the visitors, who progressed on a 2-18 to 3-13 score line.
McGrath, double All-Ireland-winning manager with Down, told RTÉ Sport: “We came within a whisker of maybe winning the game. I’ll give our players plenty of credit for hanging in.
“They will know that over the 70 minutes there were long periods when they weren’t as good as they’re capable of being. We will address those things but we will look very, very positively towards the qualifiers in three weeks’ time."
His opposite number Liam Bradley was understandably delighted with the outcome, which sets up a meeting with Donegal on 22 June.
“One thing’s for certain: the Ulster Championship came alive today,” said Bradley.
“Certainly, anybody who paid in got their money’s worth, a cracking game of football, plenty of goals, plenty of drama and some brilliant football. And probably a finish there that you’ll not see this year again."
