Feature: Fermanagh’s Ulster finalists

As Erne Gaels prepare to enter the Ulster Senior arena for the first time since 1981 when they face Scotstown, we look at the four times Fermanagh sides made the final

By Niall McCoy

LIKE its county equivalent, no Fermanagh club has ever won the Ulster Senior title, but there have been some near misses and memorable runs.

Here’s the four times an Erne side made it to the provincial decider.

1982 – Roslea

WHEN Roslea defeated Donagh in the ‘82 county final, all the chat was how it ended a 17-year wait for the New York Cup, but this was a team that wasn’t just satisfied with that.

That final was at the newly-opened Brewster Park and the Shamrocks, with Peter McGinnity leading their charge, enjoyed playing there.

Roslea had entered the season having won the league title in 1980 and ’81, but questions remained over their stomach for championship battle, but they answered them, and then some.

Tommy Murray’s side advanced to Ulster and first up was a visit from Armagh champions Carrickcruppen, who are back in provincial action this weekend, albeit now at intermediate level.

A tight encounter, John Mohan caught a late ball on the Roslea line before being bundled over. The free was given, much to the annoyance of the visitors.

That was the preliminary round and it set up a quarter-final with heavyweights Castleblayney and although underdogs, Roslea emerged comfortable winners with their opponents constantly being pinged by the referee for being too physical – McGinnity taking full advantage from frees.

It was back to Brewster for the semi-final as Down champions Castlewellan made the long trek west – a rare Mourne winner in an era dominated by Burren.

Roslea were without influential full-back Len Carberry, who had been sent off in ‘Blayney, but a late goal saw them through to the final where Belfast side St Gall’s were waiting.

The Antrim champions had received a bye en-route to the final as there were ructions in Derry following an almighty row at the end of their county final where Ballinderry defeated Dungiven.

In Coalisland, they played some brilliant football, especially in the first half, to deservedly come out on top

1999 – Enniskillen Gaels

THE 1999 Ulster Championship was an unusual one in the fact that a preliminary round clash was played a week before the semi-final.

That was due to the incredible three-game saga between Castleblayney and Bellaghy, a tie eventually won by the Derry side on neutral turf at Healy Park.

The quarter-finals weren’t much different with two one-point wins and also another draw when the Gaels and Down side Burren clashed in Newry.

Again, this was a match with an unusual tinge as the Mourne final hadn’t been played, with Burren eventually losing to Mayobridge after their Ulster replay.

It shouldn’t have needed a second game with Burren three up late on but young Ronan McCabe found the net at the death to secure a second outingfor Enniskillen, and the same player landed another major in the 2-9 to 1-7 replay win with Colm Bradley landing 1-2.

Bellaghy, playing their fifth game of the campaign, awaited in the semi-final but the Fermanagh side were well worth their 0-12 to 0-6 win with the Oakleaf side losing their discipline – Paul Diamond, Peter Diamond and Cathal Scullion all sent off in the second half.

There would be heartbreak in the final though as they lost by a single point to All-Ireland champions Crossmaglen.

John McEntee sealed a 0-10 to 0-9 win late in the day with Enniskillen missing a number of chances to force a replay.

2002 – Enniskillen Gaels

ENNISKILLEN were back in a final just three years later but, once again, their hopes were dashed following a narrow loss in Clones.

Getting that far looked a distant dream as they trailed Antrim’s St Gall’s in the quarter-final at Brewster Park by seven points after conceding goals in the first minute of both halves.

However, with Tom Brewster starring, they started to eat into that lead and eventually Raymond Curran equalised before the same player put them in front as they won out 0-12 to 2-4.

Cavan’s Gowna were up next and Enniskillen were on autopilot until a late flurry from the Breffni side nearly caught them out.

Towards the end, Gowna’s Gerard Pierson blocked a Ronan Bannon kick-out and the ball rolled into the net, but referee Jimmy McKee ruled it out and the Gaels won 1-12 to 0-11 in Clones.

It was back to St Tiernach’s Park for the final where Errigal Ciaran got the better of them in a low-scoring decider.

Conditions were horrific and Enniskillen’s hopes were dashed by a red card for Neil Cox at the start of the second half, but they still battled gamely before falling 0-8 to 1-3 with Ollie McShea denied by Errigal’s John Devine when the game was in the balance.

2021 – Derrygonnelly

DERRYGONELLY’S Ulster campaign started with an absolute classic against Dromore, the Fermanagh side winning 1-16 to 0-13 after extra-time.

They had looked in trouble midway through the second half as Declan Cassidy was sent off as Dromore really pushed on, but they dug in and Conall Jones forced extra-time with a late score.

There, they took control even if Jones was sent off on a second booking and they wrapped up the win in Carrickmore when Stephen McGullion punched home at the death.

That set up a Saturday evening showdown with Armagh champions Clann Éireann, and it proved to be another thriller.

Derrygonnelly enjoyed a dream start, Shane McGullion (2) and Conall Jones on target to move them 3-2 to 0-0 ahead.

Conor Turbitt finally got the Lurgan side off the mark with a free, and as they found their feet they were handed a lifeline as Stephen McGullion was sent off.

Even with that, they trailed 3-5 to 0-4 at the break and the game looked dead.

However, Clann Éireann fought on and had the gap down to four points heading into the final stretch before Sean McCarthy’s red card killed off their hopes in a 3-11 to 1-11 win for the Harps.

That set up a mouth-watering final against Kilcoo, a side they had caused bother in the past, but in the end, it was anything but as the Magpies cruised to a 3-10 to 0-3 win to lift the trophy.

If there was any consolation, Kilcoo went on to win the All-Ireland – so it was a hell of a team that beat Derrygonnelly.