Enniskillen survive rough ride

Men behaving badly in Clones yesterday resulted in three Bellaghy players receiving their marching orders in a tie played out in a poisonous atmosphere.

The elbow, the boot and the head butt were used to inflict pain on opponents and the ultimate sanctions were duly imposed. Fortunately, no-one was seriously injured.

Bellaghy lost their ability to repeat last year's win at the same stage over their Fermanagh opponents before they lost their discipline. Some Enniskillen players were no angels either and a couple of them were yellow-carded among the six bookings in all.

The various flare ups were fortunately stamped out quickly but there was so much happening off the ball that referee Brendan Gorman was glad of the assistance of watchful linesmen in a frequently disrupted second half.

The Ulster Council is expected to carry out a full investigation on the evidence of the referee's report and the video record before Enniskillen take on champions Crossmaglen in the final.

Sent off during a Mad Hatter's last quarter and added time were Bellaghy right-wing forward Paul Diamond (53rd minute), his brother and left corner back Peter Diamond two minutes later, and substitute Cathal Scullion during injury time.

Ronan McCabe, the prolific Enniskillen scorer who had largely caused the collapse of Down champions Burren in the quarter-final, seemed to be an early target for close marking and the two Bellaghy corner backs, Cathal and Peter Diamond, were booked for first quarter tackles on the Enniskillen dangerman.

Fermanagh and Enniskillen full back Raymond Curran said afterwards: "It was so niggling all the time that you could see trouble coming." He added: "We were resolved to keep our heads."

Enniskillen also prepared for the battle early in the afternoon. As early comers were arriving, the Enniskillen squad were leaving the ground togged out and setting off up the hill to warm up at a local ground.

Tom Brewster, in partnership with his brother Paul in midfield, stood head and shoulders above everyone else in terms of producing the kind of football the 8,000 crowd had come to expect.

Their committed midfield play had a huge bearing on the result, and Tom Brewster's selection as man-of-the-match was well earned.

The entire Enniskillen side may have surprised Bellaghy with their razor-sharp display. Having played against the wind in the first half they seemed well on their way to earning the chance of winning their first crown, with the Brewsters taking advantage of weak opposition.

Bellaghy deployed a two-man full-forward line without reaping the desired results and Kevin Gunn was well up to the task of watching the roving Damien Cassidy, who was later substituted.

Rory Judge and Pearse Fitzpatrick had goal chances before Gavin Diamond eventually got Bellaghy off the mark with a pointed free in 15 minutes. By this time Enniskillen had three points on the board and they went on to lead by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break,

But if Bellaghy were culprits for shooting unforgivable wides in the first half, Enniskillen made up for loss time in this department in the second half, with seven of their own.

ENNISKILLEN GAELS: B Dorris; K Gunn R Curran, M Lilly; N Cox, M Farry, R McCluskey (0-1); T Brewster (0-4, two frees), P Brewster (0-1); O McShea, S Bradley (0-2, one free), R Judge (0- 1); R McCabe (0-2), P Fitzpatrick, C Bradley. Sub: G McDermott (0-1) for McShea (61 mins).

BELLAGHY: K O'Neill; C Diamond, D O'Neill, Peter Diamond; K Diamond (0-1), C McNally, G Doherty (0-2, one free); P Downey, J Mulholland; Paul Diamond, B Lee, G Diamond (0-1, free); J Donnelly, J Cassidy (0-1), D Cassidy. Subs: F Doherty for Mulholand (29 mins); L McPeake (0-1) for D Cassidy (56 mins); C Scullion for Lee (63 mins).

Referee: B Gorman (Armagh).