Glory days continue as Belleek register an Ulster first

Can they become the first ever club from Fermanagh to actually win the provincial title?

Erne Gaels manager Declan Bonner. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Ulster club SFC quarter-final Erne Gaels Belleek (Fermanagh) 3-15 Kingscourt Stars (Cavan) 1-16 (AET) 

These are glory days for the Erne Gaels club, back-to-back Fermanagh SFC winners for the first time and now a maiden win in Ulster secured.

Can they go on now and become the first ever club from Fermanagh to actually win the provincial title?

That's still a long shot, particularly with powerhouse Down outfit Kilcoo waiting in the semi-finals on November 22/23, but Erne Gaels clearly enjoy a challenge.

A fortnight after overcoming Derrygonnelly Harps in a county final replay, they braved extra-time to see off the hosts in Cavan and secure that date with Kilcoo.

A powerful first-half performance that included goals from Odhran Johnston, Ultan Kelm and Jack McCann was significant.

But with Cian Shekleton scoring 12 points overall and helping Kingscourt come from 11 down to force extra-time, Erne Gaels then had to win it all over again.

Which they duly did with a strong extra-time display, outscoring Colin Kelly's Kingscourt by 0-7 to 0-2 in the additional 20 minutes.

"It's been one of those years where every game seems to just be a complete battle, it was like that right through the Fermanagh championship," said boss Bonner, who doubles as the new county manager.

"We were up against the ropes in the drawn final when Derrygonnelly were five up with a few minutes to and Ederney were six up with about five minutes to go. But we've kept finding a way to get back.

"Tonight was different because we were the ones that were 10 or 11 points up at one stage and in fairness to Kingscourt, we knew they'd fight back because they did that throughout the Cavan championship.

"I'm just proud of the lads character, especially in extra-time."

The landmark win came with a toll to pay though. Ultan Kelm, linked with an AFL move for a number of seasons, has been managing a hip injury all year and came off with apparent cramp.

"It looks like a couple of serious ones, yeah, which is unfortunate," said Bonner of the injury list. "The two Kelm lads (Ultan and Aogan) and Tommy McCafferty all had to come out. They look like they're in trouble to be quite honest but listen, we'll see what the story is."

The heavy wind, and to a lesser extent the driving rain, had a big influence.

Erne Gaels used the elements to run up a 3-4 to 0-3 first-half lead. They also hammered eight wides in that period and dropped three point attempts short, underlining their dominance.

Kingscourt capitalised after the turnaround. Shekleton was inspired and struck eight points in the second-half alone while Jordan Morris, an All-Star nominee with Meath this year, converted a two-point free from downtown in the 61st minute to force extra-time, 1-14 to 3-8.

County final hero Morris had an outside chance in the very last play of the game to win it from a sideline ball but kicked wide.

Not to worry, Kingscourt still had all the momentum for extra-time and even took the lead for the first time when Shekleton pointed.

Their lead lasted precisely two minutes as Erne Gaels took over again and this time rammed home their advantage, reeling off the next six points to belatedly seal victory.

"I think that's the club's first championship victory at this level, in Ulster," said former Donegal player and manager Bonner. "That alone is massive."

Erne Gaels Belleek scorers: O Johnston 1-2 (1 tp); U Kelm 1-1; J McCann 1-0; B McCann (tp), O Kelm (tp), R Lyons, S Rooney (1 free) 0-2 each; A Kelm, T McCafferty (1 free), S Ryder (1 free), D McCann 0-1 each.

Kingscourt Stars scorers: C Shekleton 0-12 (2 tp, 2 frees); J Morris 0-4 (1 tpf); C Yore 1-0.

ERNE GAELS BELLEEK: B Ryder; S Mimna, P Ward, U O'Reilly; B McCann, J McCann, O Kelm; M Og McGarrigle, R Lyons; B Mullin, U Kelm, A Kelm; S Rooney, T McCafferty, O Johnston.

Subs: S Ryder for A Kelm (28); M McKeon for Curtis (h/t); M Gilfeddar for Johnston (42); D McCann for Rooney (45); P McCafferty for Mimna (65). Rooney for T McCafferty (67), P Johnston for U Kelm (75).

KINGSCOURT STARS: T Martin; C McAvinney, J McCullough, S Gray; O Cunningham, A Shekleton, B Tully; P Meade, P Corrigan; J McKeon, K Curtis, C Dermody; J Morris, J Dillon, C Shekleton.

Subs: C Magee for McKeon (19); M McKeon for Curtis (h/t); C Yore for Dermody (41). M Gargan for M McKeon (72); S Burke for Magee & K Farrelly for Gray (75).

Ref: E McFeely (Donegal).