Erne Gaels, Belleek 0-14 Lisbellaw St Patrick’s 0-12

For the second year in a row, Erne Gaels retained the county title but only after a titanic tussle with old rivals Lisbellaw in Belnaleck on Sunday.

The Gaels only took the lead in the final frenetic four minutes thanks to points from marksman Cormac Daly, the lion-hearted Ultan O’Reilly and Cahir McManus to edge out a battling ‘Law who led for 56 minutes of this entertaining tussle played in excellent spirit.

In the end, it was possibly Belleek’s greater fitness that saw them overturn a 0-10 to 0-6 interval deficit and they also trailed by 0-12 to 0-9 midway through the second half.

But Paul Daly’s men outscored the Aaron McGee managed ‘Law by five points to two in the final quarter.

Lisbellaw had the benefit of a considerable breeze in the opening half and were well worth their 0-10 to 0-6 interval lead.

All of their scores came from placed balls with Oisn McPhillips deadly accurate from frees and veteran Mark Slevin also on target.

Mark Hughes was a rock at centre back for the ‘Law as Belleek had to work hard for their scores into the breeze.

But Lisbellaw will rue a few bad wides when they had wind advantage
Belleek’s scores came from Thomas Burns, the excellent Cahir McManus, Cormac Daly, Sean Boylan and Ultan O’Reilly (0-2) as the ‘Law turned over with a 0-10 to 0-6 lead at the break.

Lisbellaw threw on Enda McCabe and Micheal Flanagan in the second half and McCabe got on the score sheet as they moved into a 0-12 to 0-9 lead by midway through the second half playing into the stiff wind.

Belleek were growing into the game through points from McManus, Ultan O’Reilly, and three well-struck points from Cormac on the spin to leave Lisbellaw leading by just a point nine minutes from time on a score of 0-12 to 0-11 to set up a frenetic finish.

Daly, McManus and a wonderful 70 metres effort from Ultan O’Reilly gave Belleek the lead and McManus added the insurance point in the 62nd minute.

But Lisbellaw had a great chance of a goal as Barrie Duffy hit a screaming free which was brilliantly saved by Belleek keeper Oisin Gormley as they held out for a narrow but deserved victory. 

A delighted Erne Gaels boss Daly said this was a very important win for his side.
“We wanted to prove that last year was not a fluke when we led for most of the match.

“This win is probably sweeter because a really good Lisbellaw team led us until very nearly the finish, and we had to show a lot of heart and character to come back and win it.

“It was a great game of hurling, and you expect no less from Lisbellaw who have been the standard-bearers for hurling in the county for so many years.

“They were ahead for long periods, but we just never gave up and this is a young and fit team, and I think that is what possibly stood to us and we had real momentum going into the last five minutes.

“This win means an awful lot for hurling in Belleek, and we have a number of dual players which is always great to see as well and 11 of our scores came from play which was also very good to see.”