Erne Gaels 0-06 Scotstown 0-19

Sizzling Scotstown had far too much power and panache for grief-stricken Erne Gaels in a most one-sided Ulster Club Quarter Final in Brewster Park.

This game was well over at halftime when Scotstown led by a whopping 0-14 to 0-03.

Two weeks ago, the Erne underdogs bridged a 43-year gap by taking a county title with a resounding win over Enniskillen.

But tragedy struck with a vengeance when they got the sad news that club legend had passed away suddenly in the midst of great joy.

Scotstown boss David McCague said it was always going to be very difficult for Erne Gales following their tragedy.

“I don’t know how those lads focused out there tonight given the tragedy that befell their community and we were happy to support them in terms of fixtures over the past ten days," he said.

“We respect their great grief. As a club, we feel great sympathy for them, and I have no doubt that it affected their performance tonight.

“I lost my own mother during the year, and it changes your life totally.

“I thought that we had a good opening quarter and there is a good focus with our lads and they work very hard. But we now have a big test against Kilcoo."

It was always going to be a big ask for the Belleek men and thus it proved.

For Scotstown, powered by Monaghan county players like Rory Beggan, Ryan O’Toole, Damien McArdle, Conor McCarthy, Shane Carey, Kieran Hughes, Darren Hughes and Jack McCarron-won this encounter at a canter.

They were superior in all departments, physically, technically and most crucially in finishing.

Erne Gaels repeatedly struggled to get their kick-outs away and were just not able to physically bigger and stronger opponents.

The deadly accurate Jack McCarron opened the scoring for Scotstown with a pointed free which was quickly cancelled by a fine long-range effort from Oisin Kelm.

But that was as good as it got for the beleaguered Gaels who were repeatedly swept aside by their opponents.

Micheal McCarvill, Jack McCarron (0-02)- the second when Belleek keeper Brian Ryder gifted the ball to McCarron.

McCarron and the lively Conor McCarthy made it 0-07 to 0-01 after just nine minutes.

The Gaels were struggling to get the ball past midfield as McCarron, McCarthy and Jason Carey made it 0-10 to 0-01 after 15 minutes.

The losers improved a bit in the final quarter and Dan McCann got their second point after Shane Rooney missed a kickable free in the 21st minute.

But the rout continued with Kieran Hughes, McCarron- a fine effort with his weaker right foot left the winners leading by 0-12 to 0-02 as the break beckoned.

Rooney made up for his earlier miss with a fine point on the turn, but Scotstown finished with two points from McCarron and Carey to leave them leading by 0-13 to 0-03 at the break.

Belleek began the second half brightly with two fine points from Aogan Kelm and Dan McCann.

But normal service was swiftly resumed as McCarthy, McCarron and Shane Carey clipped over three points.

McCarron struck again along with Ryan Lyons replying for Belleek.

Both sides ran their benches as Scotstown cantered to victory as Erne Gaels reflect on a time of great triumph and tragedy.