Fermanagh Senior Football Championship semi-final:
Erne Gaels 2-11 Rosela 1-6
ERNE GAELS totally outplayed Roslea to reach their first Fermanagh senior championship final since winning the title in 1981.
At the same stage last year, the Shamrocks saw off the Belleek men after a replay but from Seamus Ryder’s goal inside the first five minutes Erne Gaels were in control at a blustery Brewster Park. Even losing the experienced and influential Ryder on the 25 minute mark didn’t upset the rhythm of Erne Gaels who after playing into the stiff wind in the first-half were three points to the good at half-time.
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The second-half was completely one way traffic with Erne Gaels outscoring the former champions 1-7 to 1-2 with the Roslea goal a mere consolation coming from a Seamus Quigley penalty deep into injury-time.
The Erne Gaels defence had the measure of the Roslea attack for the entire game and while the twin threat of Seamus and Sean Quigley was dangerous in the full-forward line they were never able to exert the same influence as normal. Indeed Sean was called out to midfield to bolster efforts in that sector with Brian Mullin and Ryan Lyons on top for Erne Gaels.
Further forward Tommy McCaffrey was a constant threat with his pace simply too hot to handle for the Roslea rearguard. With assists, points from play and frees McCaffrey was excellent with Barry McCann more than playing an adequate supporting role.
Erne Gaels moved into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead early on with the tandem threat of Ryder and McCaffrey causing consternation. Roslea fought back before the break with Sean and Seamus Quigley registering two white flags and James McMahon nailing a wonderful effort with the outside of the foot against the breeze.
That was as good as it got for Roslea however as Erne Gaels came out of the blocks fast in the second half kicking the opening three scores with Ryan Lyons landing a brace to go with another McCaffrey point.
The Quigley brothers reduced the gap to four with two points but Erne Gaels were always in control and they hit the next 1-4 to put the game beyond doubt. Daniel McGullion was impressive for the winners in a hard working defensive unit and up front they had too much movement and precision.
Luke Ryder, who replaced injured brother Seamus kicked a lovely score with McCaffery and Dara Keown also getting in on the act before Michael Óg McGarrigle got on the end of a good move to calmly finish and put the game beyond any doubt.
Roslea were awarded a penalty deep into added on time at the end of the game and Seamus Quigley finished with aplomb but it merely served to make the score a little more flattering for the Shamrocks who were second best for much of the game.
Erne Gaels now move on to face defending champions Derrygonnelly Harps in the final in what promises to be an excellent encounter between the two best teams in the county.
MATCH STATS
Erne Gaels: Stephen Ryder; P O’Shea, D McGullion, G O’Connor; P McCaffrey, D Keown (0-1), J McCann; B Mullin, R Lyons (0-2, 0-1 free); B McCann, T McCaffrey (0-4, 0-2 frees), R Cox (0-1); D Lyons, Seamus Ryder (1-1), Mark Lyons (0-1); Subs: L Ryder (0-1) for Seamus Ryder (26), M Óg McGarrigle (1-0) (47) for R Cox, M Lyons for P O’Shea (57), M Gilfedder for B McCann (60); Yellow cards: G O’Connor (42).
Roslea: C Mohan; B Maguire, C Quigley C Lynam; K Cosgrove, N Cassidy, C Mulligan; D Mohan, J McMahon (0-1); N Cosgrove, Sean Quigley (0-2, 0-1 free), S McMahon; B Sherlock, Seamus Quigley (1-3, 0-01 free, 1-0 pen), N Beggan; Subs: P Lynch for Lynam (17), S Lynch for B Sherlock (35), R McGuinness for S McMahon (49), C Cassidy for Beggan (60), J Connolly for Mulligan (60); Yellow cards: Sean Quigley (54).
