Erne Gaels 3-08 Devenish 1-12

Erne Gaels, who finished with 13 men, clung on for a narrow victory over neighbours Devenish in a thrilling affair, watched by a big crowd and interested Enniskillen Gaels manager Simon Bradley.

Ryan Lyons, who was making his first appearance since last year’s county final, and Dan McCann picked up two yellow cards in extra-time as Devenish mounted a late rally but just came up short.

Well-crafted first half goals from the impressive Dan McCann and Paul Ward and a superb individual effort from the powerful Aogan Kelm pushed the home side to a 3-05 to 0-5 lead eight minutes into the second half.

But they could only manage three more points as a resurgent Devenish, who were outgunned in the opening half, hit 1-07 and could have snatched a draw but the excellent Cian O’Brien’s shot went over the bar when it looked easier to score a goal a minute from the end of normal time.

The winners were well worth their halftime lead of 2-04 to 0-03.

They had a bright opening and McCann had the ball in the Devenish net in the Corlea end after a lightning six man move after three minutes.

Ultan O’Reilly and Aogan Kelm increased that lead by two points as Jason Love and Joe O’Brien responded for Devenish.

The lively Shane Rooney was then on target for Belleek on the double before Devenish keeper Thomas Treacy landed a fine long range free for the visitors.

But the pacey Erne Gaels struck for their second goal after a swift seven man move ended with Paul Ward blasting the ball to the roof of the Devenish net to lead by 2-04 to 0-03 at the break.

Kelm began the second half with a point to which Fionan O’Brien responded in quick succession to leave Erne Gaels leading by 2-05 to 0-05.

Joe O’Brien was black-carded just before the break which weakened Devenish.

Kelm showed great pace and control as he sped up the left flank of the Devenish defence and the ball slipped from his grasp but he had ice in the veins as he steered the ball home on the sod.

It looked bleak for youthful Devenish but a returned Joe O’Brien pounced on a loose ball and hit a rocket to the top corner of the Belleek net.

That was the start of a Devenish surge and Treacy, Cian O’Brien and Fionan O’Brien were on target as well.

Cian O’Brien hit two more points as full time beckoned. But Belleek did hit back with points from McCann in a close finish to gain two more points and keep them on course for a league final slot.

Erne Gaels boss Declan Bonner said: “Devenish made a great fight of it and we were nine points up at one stage and probably lost our shape a bit.

“It was a good tough derby battle and we hit a few good goals and could have had a few more that we did not take.

“We still have plenty to work on and we are getting bodies back. We lost Tommy McCaffrey and Odhran Johnston in our last match, but we had Ryan Lyons back for the first time in a long time and that is good news.

“Tommy is not far away and Michael Óg McGarrigle is a few weeks away.

“It was an enjoyable match and another two points which is always useful.”

Meanwhile Devenish joint manager Marty O’Brien said his team put in a much-improved display in the second half.

“It has been a feature of the games we have played against Belleek before as it took us a while to get going and in fairness they were everywhere in the first half and we were nowhere.

“It took us a while to get to grips with their running game and we knew that there was more in us at halftime.

“We got it together and went after Belleek in the second half.

“We would be happy enough with the way we responded in the second half.”