Derrygonnelly Harps 2-08 Erne Gaels 0-09
Derrygonnelly Harps claimed their seventh Fermanagh SFC title in nine years as they overcame Erne Gaels in Brewster Park.
Despite having Aidan McKenna red carded after only 18 minutes, the Harps had a degree of control on the contest up to the closing moments.
However, with two points between the sides in added on time Erne Gaels almost snatched it as Ultan Kelm, with only one thing on his mind, burst forward and unleashed a wicked drive that flew past Derrygonnelly goalkeeper Jack Kelly only to crash off the crossbar.
The outcome was then assured for the Harps as they broke at the death for Shane McGullion to slot to the net to leave them five-point winners at the finish.
Having started last year's decider against Enniskillen slowly, Erne Gaels would have targeted a good start but it was the opposite as Derrygonnelly quickly made an impact with a goal after three minutes.
Conall Jones’ attempt at a point dropped short and although goalkeeper Barry McCann clawed it out, it fell to McKenna who made space before tucking to the net.
With Rian McGovern and McKenna adding points, Derrygonnelly moved into a 1-02 to 0-00 lead before Erne Gaels opened their account through Ultan Kelm in the 15th minute.
Conall Jones restored the five point gap for the Harps but they were then reduced to 14-men soon after as Aidan McKenna was red carded after he was adjudged to have struck Odhran Johnston.
When Tommy McCaffrey and Michael Og McGarrigle then lofted over points for Seamus Ryder’s Erne Gaels side it left the goal dividing the sides.
However, Derrygonnelly has the final say of the half as Conall Jones converted a free to leave it 1-04 to 0-03 at the interval.
The Harps were able to keep the gap between the sides in the early stages of the second half as Garvan Jones and Stephen Gilroy knocked over but three points in a row from Ryan Lyons had the Belleek outfit right back in contention with two points separating the sides with just over ten minutes to go.
Shane McGullion and Ultan Kelm then exchanged points before a wonderful Luke Ryder score in the 60th minute left it a one-point game heading into added on time.
Midfielder Ryan Jones then nudged Derrygonnelly two ahead leaving Erne Gaels needing a goal and they almost got it from Kelm’s terrific effort.
It was to be Derrygonnelly’s day though as they wrapped things up with Shane McGullion’s goal deep in added on time to leave it 2-08 to 0-09 at the final whistle.
Derrygonnelly: J Kelly; A Jones, O Smyth, M Jones; S McGullion (1-01), Rian McGovern (0-01), C McGovern; R Jones (0-01), S Gilroy (0-01); A McKenna, L Jones, E McHugh; G Jones (0-01 f), C Jones (0-02, 1f), G McKenna (1-01, 1f)
Subs – Ronan 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 (64)
Erne Gaels: B McCann; S Mimna, P Ward, U O’Reilly; O Kelm, B Mullin, M Gilfeddar; M Og McGarrigle (0-01), R Lyons (0-03, 1m, 1f); O Johnston, T McCaffrey (0-01), U Kelm (0-02, 1f), J McCann, P McCaffrey, A Kelm (0-01)
Subs – L Ryder (0-01) for Mimna (42), G McGloin for Gilfeddar (42), D McCann for Johnston (54), S Rooney for McCaffrey (58)
Referee: Gerard McLaughlin (Ederney)
