Maturing Enniskillen see off Harps to return to the final
Enniskillen 1-15 Derrygonnelly 2-11
ENNISKILLEN Gaels came through a titanic tussle against holders Derrygonnelly Harps to progress to the final of Fermanagh SFC for the second year in a row.
In last year’s decider, which was the Gaels first appearance at that stage in 15 years, Derrygonnelly ran out comfortable victors in the end but a year older and a year more experienced, Enniskillen turned the tables this time around, denying the Harps an eighth successive SFC final appearance.
Derrygonnelly led by four on a couple of occasions in the first half and were two clear at half time before Enniskillen hit back to level matters early in the second half.
However, Eamon Mchugh then punched home a second Harps goal to again give them a cushion but Josh Horan palmed to the net in response for the Gaels and when Jack Tierney pointed in the 41st minute it put Enniskillen into a lead they would never relinquish.
With five minutes to go the Enniskillen lead was at two points and with some wayward shooting on the Harps behalf it stayed that way until deep in added on time when Leigh Jones hooked the ball over the bar.
It was a goal, though, that Derrygonnelly needed and referee Gerard Mclaughlin called a halt to proceedings shortly after as the Gaels claimed victory by the bare minimum.
The Gaels landed the opening score of the contest when Brandon Horan traded passes with Johnny Cassidy from the throw in to slot over but Derrygonnelly swept down the other end with Ryan Jones’ long ball picking out Shane Mcgullion who had found himself in acres of space and he showed great bravery to get to the ball ahead of Gaels goalkeeper Cian Newman and flick it to the net.
The goal though came at a cost as Mcgullion was forced off after a heavy collison with Newman, his loss a big blow to the Harps.
Man marking job
Midfield was always going to be crucial in the game and Enniskillen sent Johnny Cassidy out to do a man marking job on Ryan Jones and he limited the influence of the Harps captain.
There was some excellent scores by both sides over the remainder of the half with Neil Mcdermott and Conor Love slotting over for Enniskillen while Conor Mcgovern rattled over a brace of points for the Harps.
Josh Horan then got forward to clip over for Enniskillen to close the gap back to one, 1-02 to 0-04, but Derrygonnelly claimed four of the next five points to open up a four point advantage.
Direct play by Derrygonnelly was causing problems for Enniskillen with Garvan Jones a threat in attack and he fired over one from play and a one from a free while Conall Jones also converted two frees. Enniskillen’s sole response during this spell was a Conor Mcshea point but with 23 minutes gone the Harps led by four, 1-06 to 0-05.
Enniskillen though finished the half well. Eoin Beacom floated over a wonderful point that was answered by a good score by Stephen Mcgullion, before Callum Jones, who had taken over the free-taking duties, drilled over a free and Brandon Horan knocked over to cut the gap back to two.
Garvan Jones replied from a free for Derrygonnelly but Callum Jones rounded off the half with a well struck free to leave two in it at half time, 1-08 to 0-09.
Jones then drilled over another free on the resumption and when Conor Watson fired over it tied up the contest at 1-08 to 0-11.
However, with 34 minutes played, Derrygonnelly bagged their second goal. Ryan Jones’ attempt at a point dropped short but Mchugh was alive to the danger and he was first to the ball to palm home as Derrygonnelly moved three clear again.
Enniskillen though refused to let the heads drop and Callum Jones and Conall Jones swapped points from frees before the Enniskillen goal arrived in the 40th minute.
Mcdermott was fouled as he got a shot away and referee Mclaughlin allowed the advantage to play out with Mcdermott’s effort coming off the upright and Mcshea scooped it up before feeding Josh Horan at the back post who slapped it to the net to level up matters.
Gaels ahead
And from the kick out Enniskillen claimed possession with Cassidy and Jones teeing up Tierney who knocked over from a tight angle to put the Gaels ahead for the first time since the opening seconds of the contest.
When John Reihill then popped over a free after he was fouled, Enniskillen found themselves two ahead with 17 minutes to play although Garvan Jones landed a terrific point to close the gap to one.
Another Callum Jones point edged Enniskillen two in front again with 55 minutes gone.
Derrygonnelly had their chances in the closing stages but they failed to get their shooters on the ball as they hit four wides in a row.
They were then awarded a free at the death but they could not find the goal they needed and Leigh Jones point was not enough as Enniskillen secured the win and a spot in this year’s decider.