Erne Gaels 0-08 Enniskillen Gaels 0-08

Underdogs Erne Gaels came desperately close to taking their first Fermanagh title in 43 years in a tense thriller against Enniskillen Gaels at a wet Brewster Park.

With 60 minutes on the clock, they were awarded a free about 25 metres in front of the posts, but Shane Rooney’s effort just dropped short.

Enniskillen had a later chance from around 49 metres, but Callum Jones' shot drifted wide after Enniskillen Gaels keeper Ross Bogue had levelled matters from a long-range free.

A draw was probably a fair result as neither side were able to pull clear in mucky conditions and Erne Gaels boss Decan Bonner was sent to the stand about ten minutes from time as tempers flared on the line.

The poor conditions meant that this was always going to be a game of fine margins but Belleek will rue their missed goal chance in the first half and that free that dropped short.

The opening ten minutes were like a turgid game of chess before Erne Gaels wing forward Dan McCann injected some life and class with a superb long-range point from 47 metres in the 6th minute.

It took another four minutes of boring lateral football before Conor Murphy arced over a fine point for Enniskillen from an acute angle.

Once again, the power and pace of the Kelm clan was a major factor with Oz bound Ultan feeding the latter who pointed on the run after evading two tackles.

Enniskillen, whose keeper Ross Bogue spent a lot of time in the Erne Gaels, worked a levelling score from Ethan Beresford in the 15th minute.

But McCann struck for a wonderful point with the outside of the boot to put Belleek into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead.

Belleek almost had a goal in the 16th minute when a mistake in the Enniskillen defence allowed Ultan Kelm a clear shot at goal. But keeper Ross Bogue dived low to pull in a great save.

Enniskillen profited from that near escape and swept down the field with Eoin Beacom pointing to level matters.

Beacom added another delightful effort with the outside of the boot in the 22nd minute.

But Ultan Kelm responded with a fine effort from the wing and Aogan Kelm put the Belleek men into a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.

However, Enniskillen Gaels seized the initiative in the second half and hit three rapid points from John Reihill, Callum Jones and Ethan Beresford to put the Gaels into a 0-07 to 0-05 lead.

Ultan Kelm, who had a great tussle with fellow county man Johnny Cassidy, pointed a free for Belleek and Dan McCann hit a superb point to tie matters.

Kelm made it 0-08 to 0-07 for Belleek as full-time beckoned, but Ross Bogue responded in style for Enniskillen with a converted long-range point.

And both sides had chances to win it in a tense frenetic finish. They will meet again on Saturday at the same venue with a 5pm throw-in.