Derrygonnelly manager Sean Flanagan was delighted to take top spot in Group A as his side saw off Erne Gaels in Garrison on Sunday. The result mwans the Harps have a passage directly into the last four and the extra week’s break that comes with that is something they are pleased to have.

“We are delighted with the result and to finish top of a tough group and the extra week it gives us before the semi final,” said Flanagan.

It was a good performance by the Harps but Flanagan believes that they will have to improve from that if they are to get through a semi-final.

“As always there were elements of our play I was happy with and elements that we need to improve ahead of what will be a tough semi -final, regardless of who we end up facing,” he added.

Erne Gaels manager Seamus Ryder felt that Derrygonnelly were more clinical with their chances in the early stages and that was pivotal in the result.

“We didn’t start badly, we just didn’t put it on the scoreboard and Derrygonnelly did. We had a few misses and they punished us down the other end with a couple of good frees and then they turned us over for a well worked goal.

“I thought we worked our way well back into it but we missed an easy free before half time to leave it a three point game which would have been a difference at half time. The goal then at the start of the second half put them seven up so twice we had to comeback from seven points down and against a team like Derrygonnelly that is going to be hard. We missed too much and gave ourselves too much to do at times,” he stated.

The postponement of the Roslea v Belnaleck game has seen the quarter final ties pushed back a week and Ryder is glad of that break ahead of their home tie against Ederney.

“We have a couple of knocks and niggles after three games on the trot, that was a big battle on Sunday with the conditions so we are glad to get the extra week’s break,” said Ryder, who expects a big test against Ederney.

“I’ve seen them a couple of times and Chrissy Kelly has done a great job with them. They are well organised, fast on the break and Sean Cassidy being back is a big help so it is a big battle ahead,” he said.