Erne Gaels end 43-year wait for Fermanagh glory

Four points, a point for every decade of hurt was the margin and it was thoroughly deserved.

Sat, 02 Nov, 2024 - 19:04

Ciaran Flaherty

Fermanagh SFC final: Enniskillen Gaels 1-09 Erne Gaels 1-13

There will be bonfires on the Fermanagh border as Erne Gaels ended 43 years of hurt to lift the New York Cup.

Four points, a point for every decade of hurt was the margin and it was thoroughly deserved.

The first-half was helter-skelter as both teams tried to stamp their authority on matters.

Enniskillen started off with huge pace and Conall Quinn put them in front after 30 seconds as Erne Gaels’ stalwart Brian Mullin’s night ended quickly with a shoulder injury from the throw-in.

Ultan Kelm levelled after eight minutes and then he fed his brother, Aogan who fisted over.

A pivotal moment straight after saw Shane Rooney black-carded for a trip and Enniskillen made the most of it.

Callum Jones pointed a free and from the poor kickout, Conor Love got the ball out on the right and drove at goal before unleashing a rocket into the roof of the net.

And when Brandon Horan hit a fine score to leave it 1-03 to 0-02 after 13 minutes it looked like Enniskillen were going to run away with things.

Love struck again and had his hand in the air before the white flag was raised to put five in it.

Tommy McCaffrey stopped the onslaught but Ethan Beresford angled over a fine score before Rooney was re-introduced.

And for the rest of the half, it was all Erne Gaels.

Oisin Kelm started the revival and then Ultan Kelm converted a free and another one from play.

And Belleek had made the comeback when a Rooney effort dropped short and Ryan Lyons flicked it on for Michael Óg McGarrigle to apply the finishing touch to leave it 1-06 to 1-05.

And it got better in the second-half as Rooney got the ball rolling.

Horan hit a badly needed score for Enniskillen in the 34th minute to end the 19-minute famine but Man of the Match Ultan Kelm responded with a free.

Enniskillen’s hopes were dealt a blow within three minutes as Eoin Beacom was black-carded before Conor McShea made it 1-09 to 1-08.

But then Richie O’Callaghan was sent off following a melee at the sideline with 20 minutes to play.

It took nine minutes for Ultan Kelm to hit the next score but John Reihill responded from a free but Erne Gaels would finish strong.

Barry McCann finished off a good team move and then Rooney scored before Seamus Ryder, who was manager in the previous two years Erne Gaels lost in the final popped over a score.

Jones hit a late consolation for Enniskillen but there was only one place the New York Cup was heading.

Enniskillen Gaels: R Bogue; J Tierney, N Tierney, J Horan; C Murphy, C Quinn (0-01), C Smith; B Horan (0-02), J Cassidy; E Beacom, C McShea (0-01), C Jones (0-02,1f); C Love (1-01), R O’Callaghan, E Beresford (0-01).

Subs: J Reihill (0-01,1f) for Murphy and C Halligan for Beresford (47); C McAnespy for J Tierney.

Red card: Richie O’Callaghan

Black card: Eoin Beacom

Erne Gaels: B Ryder; S Mimna, J McCann, U O’Reilly; O Kelm (0-01), B Mullin, R Lyons; M Óg McGarrigle (1-00), P Ward; D McCann, A Kelm (0-01), M Gilfeddar; T McCaffrey (0-01), S Rooney (0-03,1M), U Kelm (0-05, 2f).

Subs: G McGloin for Mullin (1), B McCann (0-01) for McGloin (37), O Johnston for Gilfeddar (52); S Ryder (0-01)for A Kelm (55).

Black card: Shane Rooney

Referee: Eoin Murphy (Derrylin)