Erne Gaels 0-13 Ederney 2-03

Erne Gaels had the better of this hard-fought affair but had to endure some anxious moments from a resilient but wasteful Ederney side before a big crowd in Pairc na hEirne.

The home side had loads of possession in a wind assisted opening half and they were well worth their 0-07 to 1-01 lead at the break.

But they could have been out of sight after creating but missing four great goaling chances.

Under pressure Ederney were much more economical and grabbed a vital goal from Eoin McKervey in the 28th minute to leave just three points between the sides at the break.

They again found the net from the returning Sean Cassidy in the 42nd minute to leave just a point between the sides as the home side led on a score of 0-10 to 2-03.

But they hit six wides from scoreable slots as the Gaels added three more points to seal victory.

Belleek settled swiftly and had a great chance of a goal when Ultan Kelm bore down on goals after a turnover but his low shot just shaved the post.

Ederney responded with their only point of the half from a Cassidy free.

The Gaels had all the possession with Shane Rooney unlucky with a chipped shot for goal that came back off the upright with Ederney keeper Chris Snow out of position in the 11th minute.

Ultan Kelm landed a long range point midway through the half and Rooney added another to make it a 0-04 to 0-01 lead.

Aogan Kelm broke through and seemed certain to score but his fisted effort just went wide in the 17th minute.

Michael Óg McGarrigle pointed for Belleek and then Dan McCann added two to put Belleek into a 0-07 to 0-01 lead.

Belleek keeper Brian Ryder then smothered a goal bound shot for Ederney before a long high ball broke for McKervey who squeezed the ball home just before the half-time whistle.

The Gaels added two points from Aogan Kelm and Rooney on the restart and Niall Maguire split the posts for an Ederney side who were gradually asserting themselves.

But Rooney could have had a goal but elected to punch over the bar to put Belleek into a 0-10 to 1-03 lead as Shay Deazley responded for Ederney.

Cassidy flicked home a goal to signal Ederney’s best period and two good saves from Ryder prevented two more goals.

Ederney created loads of chances but their accuracy let them down as they attacked Belleek.

Rooney eased the home side’s nerves with a vital point and the impressive Dan McCann and Rooney finished out the scoring in a tie that both sides will reflect on missed chances.

Erne Gaels have been beaten in the last two county finals and made the bold move of getting ex-Donegal boss Declan Bonner and ex-Tir Chonaill player Paul Brennan to guide their fortunes.

And they made a winning start in an impressive performance against an Ederney side who were missing a few key players on the home side.

There is a sense in Belleek of now or never in a championship where the continued absence of Ryan, Conall and Garvan Jones for Derrygonnelly has prompted speculation that this could be the most wide open championship in years.

While Bonner was very happy with the display he will have been a bit concerned that yet again, his side created good goaling chances but could not convert them.

“I thought we played very well as a team and their commitment and attitude was first class but I thought our final pass and our finishing let us down a bit.

“We played very well, and I am happy with the two points, and it was vital that we came away with two points in our first match at home.

“It was good to get the win and yes, we did create four good goal chances, and we did not take them, and you don’t have to be a stats analyst to see that and that is an area that we definitely need to improve on.

“But it is great that we are creating those chances, and it will come good, and I am very happy.”

Bonner added: “Shane Rooney won and converted a few frees which was vital for us on a day when the wind made it very tricky to get scores and Dan McCann was very sharp for us as well and we had Jack McCann back and he was a very steady figure in defence.

“Dan got a few great scores, and we are still getting players back.

“Tommy McCaffrey has tweaked a hamstring and Odhran Johnston may be ready for the final game against Derrygonnelly.

“This was vital to win today and there was a good edge and atmosphere here and this was my first taste of Fermanagh championship football, and I am really enjoying it.”

Meanwhile despite defeat, Ederney manager Chris Kelly was taking the positives from the encounter.

“We created around four goal chances ourselves, and Belleek keeper Brian Ryder made a few great saves from balls that spilled in their square.

“But when we look back on this match it is the chances of points that we did not take when we had a bit of momentum and the wind in the second half after we got that second goal.

“We know that we had enough chances to get a result out of this game and ultimately we did not but it should give our boys a lot of belief going forward.

“As everybody knows we have a lot of injuries and men unavailable, but Belleek are a team who plan to win the championship and we have matched them up on their own ground and that has to be positive.”

He added: “We got the goal at the right time coming just up to half-time and the second goal was good too but we missed enough points to have gotten a result.

“This is a very young team and five were making their debut and our focus now switches to Derrygonnelly next week.

“We have to get a result out of that game, and it is at home.”

And, if the Jones brothers are still unavailable, Ederney might just get those two precious points.