THE term ‘curse’ might not be used yet, but Erne Gaels may well have uttered a few curse words when Ederney shocked Kinawley in their own backyard to earn a semi-final place.
Rather than taking on Enniskillen Gaels, as anticipated, an open draw meant that Ederney were handed that task - and instead the Belleek men have been pitted against their recent nemeses Derrygonnelly.
It’s not that Erne Gaels would have fancied their chances much more against their namesakes from the county town, who topped and won the league and won their three championship group games in impressive fashion.
The problem is more that the Harps have developed a habit of not only beating Belleek but doing so with dramatic, galling late finishes.
Most recently that was the case in their final Group B game, a match Erne Gaels led almost throughout – until a last-gasp goal from Ronan McHugh sent Derrygonnelly to the top of the table and straight through to the semi-final with a 1-9 to 1-8 win.
Belleek will also remember similar slaps in the face in the 2016 county final, the 2017 final, and – albeit to a lesser extent – last year’s decider, when a late Harps goal fended off a comeback.
On the upside, most such streaks come to an end, and Belleek can also take comfort from being the better team for most of that recent meeting.
There’s also no doubt that Derrygonnelly are weaker than they were.
Keeping up with the Joneses has been the challenge for Derrygonnelly’s opponents in recent years. Keeping up without the Joneses is now the challenge for the Harps after the withdrawals of Ryan, Conall, and Garvan Jones. The loss of their experience and physical presence has hurt the champions, but their depth of playing resources is still greater than most other clubs in the county.
Erne Gaels boss Declan Bonner had to called on his predecessor Seamus Ryder to help see off Teemore in the quarter-finals. Aogan Kelm also made a significant impact off the bench but remains a fitness concern, although his brothers Oisin and Ultan – the latter still being linked with a move to Aussie Rules – should start.
Seeking a third consecutive final appearance, as they aim to lift the New York Cup for the first time since 1981, Belleek have the quality and ability to prevail – but they know never to count Derrygonnelly out.
Ederney have already been beaten by both Belleek and Derrygonnelly in the group stages so would have been underdogs no matter who they were paired with in the last four.
Enniskillen rattled in nine goals in their group, winning all three games, against Teemore, Belnaleck, and Kinawley.
It may be that their section was the weaker of the two, but Simon Bradley’s side have still looked good. They’re creating plenty of chances and probably should have netted more against Kinawley, but county forwards such as Callum Jones, Conor Love, and John Reihill will always pose threats.
Ederney are severely understrength due to several long-term injuries and players away travelling, but still have plenty of experience in the form of goalkeeper Chris Snow, the McCuskers – Declan and Paul – plus Marty McGrath, who was persuaded out of retirement.
Younger players have stepped up for manager Chris Kelly, but 2022 champs Enniskillen, and their host of county men, will still expect to return to the final after losing out to Belleek in last year’s semis.
