Fermanagh SFC Final

Derrygonnelly Harps 2-8 Erne Gaels Belleek 0-9

By Gareth Cauldwell at Brewster Park

Derrygonnelly Harps landed their seventh Fermanagh SFC title in nine years as they saw off Erne Gaels in Brewster Park. 

The Harps, who played with 14 men from the 18th minute following the dismissal of Aidan McKenna, made a flying start to the contest as they raced into an early five point advantage thanks to a Gary McKenna goal after only three minutes. 

The sending off did see the Belleek men come back into the game, but at the break Derrygonnelly held a four point advantage, 1-4 to 0-3. 

Erne Gaels though rallied late in the day to close to within one point and they almost snatched the victory when Ultan Kelm’s rasping drive cannoned off the upright. 

However, Derrygonnelly were not to be denied and a breakaway goal by captain Shane McGullion deep in added on time sealed the win for the Harps. 

Derrygonnelly could not have asked for a better start to the contest as they hit the net early on. Conall Jones attempt was palmed away by Erne Gaels goalkeeper Barry McCann after it dropped short but McKenna picked up the break and slotted to the goal. 

McKenna then tagged on a free before Rian McGovern clipped over a point to put Derrygonnelly into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead. 

At the other end, Erne Gaels were struggling to find their range but they did open their account in the 15th minute as Ultan Kelm popped over. 

Derrygonnelly responded with a point from Conall Jones, but this was followed by a red card for Aidan McKenna who was adjudged to have struck Odhran Johnston to leave the Harps facing the remainder of the game with 14 men. 

This did lift Erne Gaels and Tommy McCaffrey and Michael Og McGarrigle knocked over points to leave the goal dividing the sides. 

But Derrygonnelly had the last say of the half as Conall Jones converted a free to leave four between the sides at the interval. 

The 14-men continued to control the ball in the early stages of the second half with Garvan Jones slotting over a free and Stephen Gilroy fisting over a point, those two scores sandwiching an Aogan Kelm point at the other end. 

Erne Gaels though hit back with Ryan Lyons rattling over a trio of scores to cut the deficit back to two points with 12 minutes to go. 

Shane McGullion pushed the Harps lead back out to three as he punched over but Erne Gaels answered from a Kelm free as it remained tight entering the closing moments. 

And when Luke Ryder fired over a wonderful point from the right hand side it left the minimum between the sides going into four minutes of added on time. 

Ryan Jones appeared to have sealed the win though for Derrygonnelly when the experienced midfielder knocked over but there was to be late drama as Kelmbroke through the Harps defence and let fly with a thumping drive that had goalkeeper Jack Kelly beaten only to comer back off the bar. 

The game though was put to bed at the death as Derrygonnelly broke from midfield and with Erne Gaels pushed up it left Shane McGullion free score as the Harps finished up five-point victors. 

Scorers for Derrygonnelly: G McKenna 1-1 (1f), S McGullion 1-1, C Jones 0-2 (1f), Rian McGovern 0-1, S Gilroy 0-1, R Jones 0-1 

Scorers for Erne Gaels: R Lyons 0-3 (1m, 1f), U Kelm 0-2 (1f), M Og McGarrigle 0-1, T McCaffrey 0-1, A Kelm 0-1, L Ryder 0-1 

Derrygonnelly: J Kelly; A Jones, O Smyth, M Jones; Shane McGullion, Rian McGovern, C McGovern; R Jones, S Gilroy; A McKenna, L Jones, E McHugh; G Jones, C Jones, G McKenna 

Subs: R McGovern for Gilroy (42), D Cassidy for C McGovern (52), D Ward for L Jones (58), R McHugh for Ronan McGovern (62), J Flanagan for G McKenna (60+4).

Erne Gaels: B McCann; S Mimna, P Ward, U O’Reilly; O Kelm, B Mullin, M Gilfeddar; M Og McGarrigle, R Lyons; O Johnston, T McCaffrey, U Kelm, J McCann, P McCaffrey, A Kelm 

Subs: L Ryder for Mimna (42), G McGloin for Gilfeddar (42), D McCann for Johnston (54), S Rooney for McCaffrey (58).

Referee: Gerard McLaughlin (Ederney).