St. Pat's, Donagh 3-09 Enniskillen Gaels 2-17

Enniskillen Gaels picked up their second league win of the campaign with a five point victory over St Pat’s in Donagh on Friday night. 

An understrength Enniskillen took control of matters in the third quarter as they pushed into an eight point advantage and although St Pat’s battled through to the end - bagging two late goals - they never looked like denying the Gaels.

Enniskillen manager Simon Bradley was pleased to put the points on the board and get back to winning ways.

“The win was all that mattered so we’re happy to get that. We were happy to facilitate St Pat’s request to move the game as they had a function coming up even though it meant us missing a few more players.

“But, as has been the case over the last few weeks, it was chance for others to come in and put their hand up. Overall we were pleased with it,” said Bradley.

St Pat’s, who are still searching for their first points of the season, made the brighter start to the contest as John Paul O’Reilly knocked over from play before Jimmy Tormey converted a free.

Enniskillen landed their first score through wing back Lorcan Love and soon after they created the first goal chance of the game as Conor McShea slipped in Conor McAleer but he was denied by Shaun Montgomery in the St Pat’s goal. Ross Bogue though did slot over the subsequent ‘45 to tie up matters at 0-02 apiece.

It was tit for tat over the next period as Ethan Beresford and McAleer tagged on points from frees for the away side while Tormey and Mark McGovern added points for St. Pat’s.

However, Enniskillen finished the half the stronger as McAleer knocked over two further frees while Ronan Ferguson rattled over a point from play to leave them 0-04 to 0-07 ahead at the interval.

The home side though were quickly out of the traps at the start of the second half as Shea Cadden and a brace from Eoghan Curran had them back on level terms inside three minutes.

Just when it appeared that St Pat’s were building some momentum though Enniskillen swooped for the opening goal of the night as Cal McAnespy rifled a shot to the roof of the net.

Cadden answered with his second point of the half for St Pat’s who also saw Brian McDermott hit the post but Enniskillen then began to pull away.

McShea (2), Bogue (2), Beresford and Richard O’Callaghan all landed points as the gap was stretched out to eight. Indeed, that gap could have been even greater but McAnespy was denied his second goal by the woodwork.

St Pat’s hit back with a goal of their own in the 49th minute as McDermott punished Enniskillen by finding the net after they had twice failed to clear their lines.

The response to this was instant though by Enniskillen as they swept down the other end of the pitch for Beresford to tuck home to make it 1-08 to 2-13 with ten minutes to go.

Cadden chipped in with another point for St Pat’s but two good efforts from midfielder Bogue kept Enniskillen comfortably in front.

St Pat’s did have their second goal when they were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute and although Gaels goalkeeper Cian Newman saved McDermott’s spot kick and his follow up, the St Pat’s attacker forced the ball home at the third time of asking.

Indeed, St Pat’s added a further goal from O’Reilly who palmed in at the back post but these were just consolation scores and with McAnespy and Bogue tagging on points, Enniskillen ran out 3-09 to 2-17 winners.