Erne Gaels triumphed at Brewster Park. Photo by Fermanagh GAA
Fermanagh SFC Final Replay
Erne Gaels 1-13 Enniskillen Gaels 1-9
By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park
Erne Gaels produced a fine performance as they saw off Enniskillen Gaels at the second time of asking to claim the New York Cup for the first time since 1981 at Brewster Park.
Six days ago the sides played out a draw, but after a dominant opening quarter from Enniskillen, Erne Gaels gained the upperhand and pushed on for a memorable win.
The sides had traded early points through Conall Quinn for Enniskillen and the excellent Ultan Kelm for Erne Gaels.
Belleek nudged ahead through an Aogan Kelm point but then a black card for Erne Gaels forward Shane Rooney in the ninth minute saw Enniskillen take control of matters as they went on to outscore the Belleek outfit 1-4 to 0-1 during that ten minute period.
Callum Jones popped over a free and moments later Conor Love crashed a superb effort to the net to make it 1-2 to 0-2.
Brandon Horan and Love also tagged on points to put Enniskillen five clear by the end of the first quarter and they looked to be in firm control of the encounter.
Tommy McCaffrey and Ethan Beresford swapped points as Enniskillen maintained their five point lead but the closing ten minutes of the half belonged to Erne Gaels.
Ultan Kelm’s landed two points and Oisin Kelm was also on target to leave two in it and half time approached.
And then the decisive score of the half arrived as Michael Og McGarrigle palmed home after Rooney’s shot dropped short to give Erne Gaels a massive shot in the arm as they went in one point ahead at the interval, 1-6 to 1-5.
The sides traded points in the opening period of the second half with Rooney and Ultan Kelm registering for Erne Gaels and Horan and Conor McShea for Enniskillen.
However, indiscipline crept into the Enniskillen game as they had Eoin Beacom black card in the 39th minute before the experienced Richard O’Callaghan was red carded for an off the ball incident.
It still remained a tight encounter as Ultan Kelm and John Reihill exchanged points to leave the minimum between the sides entering the final ten minutes 1-9 to 1-8.
However, after losing the last two finals, Belleek were determined not to suffer a third consecutive defeat and they pushed on as Barry McCann, Rooney (2) and Seamus Ryder landed points to put five in it, 1-13 to 1-8.
Callum Jones did hit a late score for Enniskillen, but it was only a consolation point as Erne Gaels deservedly saw out added on time to secure the title.
Scorers for Erne Gaels: U Kelm 0-5 (2fs), M og McGarrigle 1-0, S Rooney 0-3 (1m), A Kelm 0-1, T McCaffrey 0-1, O Kelm 0-1, B McCann 0-1, S Ryder 0-1
Scorers for Enniskillen: C Love 1-1, B Horan 0-2, C Jones 0-2 (2fs), C McShea 0-1, E Beresford 0-1, C Quinn 0-1, J Reihill 0-1 (f).
Erne Gaels: B Ryder; S Mimna, J McCann, U O’Reilly; O Kelm, B Mullin, R Lyons; M Og McGarrigle, P Ward; D McCann, A Kelm, M Gilfeddar; T McCaffrey, S Rooney, U Kelm.
Subs: G McGloin for Mullin (2), B McCann for McGloin (39), O Johnston for Gilfeddar (53), S Ryder for A Kelm (59).
Enniskillen: R Bogue; J Tierney, N Tierney, J Horan; C Murphy, C Quinn 0-1, C Smith; B Horan, J Cassidy; E Beacom, C McShea, C Jones; C Love, R O’Callaghan, E Beresford.
Subs: J Reihill for Murphy (48), C Halligan for Beresford (48), C McAnespy for J Tierney (59).
