Belnaleck 0-9
Enniskillen 0-10
By Pauric McGurn
Enniskillen Gaels moved a step closer to the Division One League Final by defeating near neighbours Belnaleck on Wednesday evening in round 7 of the Senior football league.
Belnaleck started the brighter and led 0-4 to 0-2 midway through the opening half but from there on Enniskillen took over and led by three at the break, 0-4 to 0-7.
The Gaels extended that lead to six by the 39th minute, 0-4 to 0-10, but the failed to register a score for the rest of the game.
Belnaleck hit five points but were unable to get the equaliser and manager Simon Bradley was relieved to come away with the win;
“We were certainly comfortable ten minutes into the second half at 10-4. Belnaleck changed personnel and pushed the Cullen’s up and they really dominated then and it was us that were hanging on at the end.
“We lost a lead to Kinawley in the last round, so we are just happy to this time hold onto the lead and claim the victory.”
Bryan Owens and Ross Bogue hit early opening scores for either side before a fine Darragh McGurn point in the 6th minute put the home side one ahead.
Jamie Steele, who hit four points in total, then got his first score of the game but two fine Bryan Owens points gave the home side a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage at the quarter of an hour mark.
Enniskillen grew more into the game and by the 21st minute it was level thanks to Conor McShea and Jamie Steele before John Rehill landed a super point to edge the visitors 0-5 to 0-4 ahead.
A Fergal Quinn kickout was superbly caught and from the mark the lively Conor McShea found Jamie Steele who played in Conor Watson for a really neat Enniskillen score.
In added time Conall Quinn got forward for the Gaels to point and leave it 0-4 to 0-7 at the break.
Ross Bogue and Jamie Steele (2) pushed Enniskillen further ahead after the resumption, Steele’s second from an acute angle, to make it a six-point advantage.
Belnaleck cut that deficit though, starting with a Lee Cullen point, their first score in over 20 minutes,
Two more points from Darragh McGurn left a goal in it, 0-7 to 0-10.
James Speight pointed as the game moved into additional time and deep in injury time Bryan Owens landed a score but it was not enough as Enniskillen hung on for the win.
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