Intermediate Championship favourites Erne Gaels eased their way into the semi-finals of the competition with an emphatic 5-14 to 0-05 win over Maguiresbridge in Ederney on Sunday.

The Belleek side took control of matters on the scoreboard in the latter stages of the first half with Barry McCann’s goal helping them into a 1-07 to 0-03 half time advantage.

And they went on to dominate the second half, bagging a further four goals to progress to a meeting with Irvinestown in the semi-final.

Erne Gaels manager Seamus Ryder was satisfied with his side’s display.

“We didn’t really know what to expect and after five or six weeks without a competitive game we were rusty but we got it together towards the end of the first half and we pushed on in the second.

“Obviously, we put up a good score but also defensively I thought we were very good throughout,” he added.

However, Ryder expects a bigger test when they take on Irvinestown.

“Irvinestown are a Division One side and we would expect it to be a tough game. We know they have a lot of good players and we will have to watch their danger men,” said Ryder.

Erne Gaels were without Australia bound Ultan Kelm but they had the returning Ryan Lyons on the bench and they landed two points in the opening minutes through Barry McCann and Gareth Deery.

However, there was no further scores in the first quarter although Brian Mullin did knock over on the restart to make it 0-03 to 0-00.

Maguiresbridge finally got off the mark through two Ciaran Corrigan points but Erne Gaels, with Mullin and Michael Og McGarrigle giving them a solid platform at midfield, started to pull away after this with McCann lashing the ball into the top corner of the net while Oisin Kelm was also among the points as they went in at half time with a seven point lead.

The second half was all one way traffic as Erne Gaels dictated the play.

Ciaran Corrigan did knock over two points for Maguiresbridge but they were second best as the Belleek side time and again cut them open, scoring three goals in an eight minute spell.

Tommy McCaffrey netted their second goal of the day after being put through by McGarrigle and substitute Luke Ryder added the third.

Ryan Lyons also found the net after his introduction as he raced forward and drilled the ball home.

Luke Ryder and McGarrigle also knocked over points for Erne Gaels before Deery wrapped things up in added on time with their fifth goal of the tie.