Bradley hopes to draw on last year’s experience

ENNISKILLEN Gaels manager Simon Bradley is hoping that the experience of playing in last year’s final will stand to his squad as they prepare to face Erne Gaels in this year’s decider in ten days time.

The Gaels came through a tight tussle with Derrygonnelly, who beat them in last year’s final, in the semi-final on Saturday to book their place in the showpiece decider and Bradley feels that they have plenty to draw on from being part of that 2021 final.

“We’ve already been talking about the preparation and comparing it to last year and what we might do different so, yes, being there last year is obviously an advantage to us in both getting ready and on the day as well as the players know what to expect. They also have the taste of defeat which will hopefully motivate them to make sure it doesn’t happen this year,” he said.

And Bradley believes that it will be an exciting final with games between the two in recent times having been entertaining affairs.

“It is two young teams and it could be a nervy enough game but it will probably be open and frantic even though both managers probably won’t want to set it up that way. I think it could take on a life of it’s own but hopefully it is a decent day weather wise and both teams get the chance to go out to try and play football to win the championship,” he commented.

On the win over Derrygonnelly, Bradley felt the difference was that his side took more of their chances in the second half.

“It was like a semi-final, you just want to win it and I think it was a decent enough game for the spectators to watch. It was end to end stuff in the first half but frantic but I think both teams in the second half had opportunities and we probably took more of ours. That was the difference in the end up.”

One thing that pleased the Gaels manager was the character shown by his side. They conceded an early goal clawed their way back from four points down to level matters only to them concede another goal from a high ball. However, they put that set back behind them and rallied to go on and win the contest.

“For any defence that type of goal is a poor goal to concede and we conceded two of them but to come back from that definitely shows that the boys have built up a bit of character over the last couple of years.”

And he also praised the contribution of his bench as they saw the game out.

“I also thought that the boys coming on from the bench made a big difference as well because the quality remained and it gave us a lot of energy,” he added.

Derrygonnelly joint manager Mick Glynn felt his side fought to the end but accepted that they missed too many chances.

“It’s disappointing to lose, our lads fought to the end, we missed a lot of chances in the second half and still only lost by one point,” he said.

Ths loss of Shane Mcgullion who was injured after colliding with Enniskillen goalkeeper Cian Newman was a big blow for the Harps and Glynn questioned why there was no punishment for either that challenge or the one on Eamon Mchugh which came after the second goal.

“The loss of Shane Mcgullion so early in the game was a huge factor and I can’t understand how there wasn’t some sanction for the dangerous challenge which was repeated again in the second half and again without sanction,” he said.

However, he believes that this group will be back challenging for trophies.

“We are disappointed but our players owe nothing to anyone, they have been great ambassadors for our club and will be back again challenging for honours in the future.”