Erne Gaels 0-10 St Eunan’s 1-14

Clinical St Eunan’s advanced to the Ulster SFC semi-final with a deserved victory over wasteful Erne Gaels in Brewster Park.

The winners, spurred by Conor O’Donnell Snr and Shane O’Donnell were more composed and took their chances with aplomb.

But Belleek will not be happy with a tally of 15 wides-eight from fairly scorable slots in the second half.

Eunan’s, who were without Niall O’Donnell, who is in the USA, were worthy 0-7 to 0-3 half time leaders.

Action shot from Erne Gaels vs St Eunan's (Image: John McVitty)

But the clinching score of this well contested affair came from a poor kick out in the 33rd minute when Eoin McGeehin gained possession and fed Conor O’Donnell Jnr and the latter slammed the ball low to the Erne Gaels net.

Suddenly Letterkenny were ahead by 1-8 to 0-3.

It was a mountain for the Fermanagh champions which they tried hard to climb.

But inaccuracy and two missed goal chances spoiled their script.

St Eunan’s had a brighter stat with loads of possession and patient probing before Conor O”Donnell Snr arced over a fine point.

Conor O’Donnell Jnr got in on the act and hit a fine point to double their advantage.

A poor Gales kick out gifted Eunan’s a great goal chance but Dillon Doogan elected to punch over a point to put the Letterkenny lads into a three point lead by the 7th minute.

The Gaels eventually shook off a shaky start with Ultan Kelm pointing a close in free after Eunan’s were penalised for dissent.

Action shot from Erne Gaels vs St Eunan's (Image: John McVitty)

The Gaels were growing into the game as Kelm landed another free in the 9th minute to narow the gap.

The same player had a great chance of a goal after a mix up in the Eunan’s defence-but Shaun Patton got down smartly to avert the danger.

Erne Gaels were on top and team captain Ryan Lyons levelled matters on 14 minutes.

But a few turnovers proved costly as Eunan’s Ciaran Moore got their first point in almost fifteen minutes.

Conor O’Donnell (Snr) and Shane O’Donnell were pulling the strings and Moore was finding spacae as he landed his second point in the 23rd minute.

Eoin McGeehin then benefited from a spilled ball in the Belleek defence, and he popped over a close- range point.

And Conor O’Donnell snr popped up to supply the final point as St Eunan’s led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.

Erne Gaels had an early chance of a two pointer, but Ryan Lyons’s effort just drifted wide.

And Eunan’s responded with O’Donnell’s killer goal to put his side ahead by 1-8 to 0-3.

In from Conor O’Donnell Snr and Conor O’Donnell Jnr made it 1-10 to 0-3.

Ultan Kelm managed to elude the shackles of Ciaran Moore to hit a fine two pointer and he added a single point to leave Eunan’s leading by 1-10 to 0-6 by the 44th minute.

Erne Gaels kept battling, but the wides kept mounting.

Eunan’s then lost James Kelly to a black card as Belleek tried to narrow the gap.

Conor O’Donnell Jnr and the excellent Shane O’Donnell swapped points as the game entered its final stage.

Belleek had two good goaling chances-the first a fisted effort that seemed to go over the line, but referee Kevin Faloon called a free which Kelm pointed.

And sub Seamie Ryder’s shot rocketed off the upright.

But clinical Eunan’s who only hit five wides, stayed calm and had the final scores from

Eoin McGeehin and Eoin Dowling as Kelm responded with a two pointer.

Impressive St Eunan’s now meet the winners of Scotstown and Magherafelt tomorrow.

Erne Gaels: Shane Mimna, Paul Ward, Ultan O’Reilly; Oisin Kelm (0-1) Jack McCann, Eamon Óg Magee; Ryan Lyons (0-2) Brian Mullin; Tommy McCaffrey, Ultan Kelm (0-72tp) Odhran Johnston; Dan McCann, Aogan Kelm, Michael Óg McGarigle. Subs: Barry McCann for Odhran Johnston (42), Seamus Ryder for Brian Mullin (51), Paul McCaffrey, Shane Rooney and Martin Gilfedder for Dan McCann, Aogan Kelm and Shane Mimna (59).

St Eunan’s: Shaun Patton; Noah Barrett, Caolan Ward, Josh Hay; Kieran Tobin, Conor O’Donnell (Snr) (0-3), Oran Winston; Dillon Doogan (0-1) Eoin Dowling (0-2); Ciaran Moore (0-2) Shane O’Donnell, Luke McGuinness; Eoin McGeehin (0-1) James Kelly Conor O’Donnell (Jnr) (1-5) Subs; Pauric Boyle for Dillon Doogan (53).