Derrygonnelly 1-11 Ederney 3-05

 

Derrygonnelly landed the last five points as they fought back to earn a replay against Ederney in a thrilling SFC quarter final tie at Brewster Park tonight.

The Harps had looked well placed at half time as they led by six but Ederney responded superbly in the third quarter and two goals in as many minutes had them back on level terms before a third goal after the water-break sent them five clear.

However, Derrygonnelly dug deep after this and they dominated the closing stages with Rian McGovern slotting over the equalising point as it finished in a stalemate.

Derrygonnelly made the dream start to the game as they struck for the opening goal of the tie after only three minutes, Ryan Jones free kick coming off an Ederney defender and ending up in the back of the net.

Ederney struggled to settle into the game in the opening quarter and Derrygonnelly went on to add to the advantage as Gary McKenna cut in to fire over before then landing a free from the left hand side to make it 1-02 to 0-00.

The Harps continued to dicate the play and Stephen Gilroy and Oisin Smyth rattled over points to push them seven in front by the 22nd minute.

Ederney did begin to grow into the game after this and Sean Cassidy opened their account in the 23rd minute before Paul McCusker added a second although a number of further scoring chances were not taken both from play and deadballs.

And a Conall Jones converted mark on the stroke of half time left Derrygonnelly sitting six ahead at the break, 1-05 to 0-02.

Ederney though began to get the upperhand after the break as they finally started to work openings and with 35 minutes gone Finbarr Gillen raced in to find the net before Sean Cassidy finished low to the net two minutes later to suddenly level up the game at 2-02 to 1-05.

The momentum had swung Ederney's way and with Declan McCusker and Sean Cassidy impressing they went on to hit the front.

Cassidy put them ahead for the first time in the game from a free before the full forward then gathered a long ball from Marty McGrath and rifled over.

When Paul McCusker then fired over Ederney found themselves three points to the good, 2-05 to 1-05.

It took Derrygonnelly 16 minutes to register their first score of the second half, McKenna popping up in space in front of the goal to swivel and clip over to leave two between the sides at the water-break.

It appeared though as if the game had swung firmly in Ederney's favour when they scored a wonderful third goal. Declan McCusker produced a fine catch in the middle of the park and fed brother Paul who in turn played in Mark McCauley and he cut inside before slamming the ball to the roof of the net to make it 3-05 to 1-06.

However, Derrygonnelly refused to throw in the towel and driven on my the ever-green Declan Cassidy they clawed their way back into the game.

Substitute Rian McGovern made a big impact on proceedings and he clipped over a good score to get the Harps going again.

Garvan Jones, Declan Cassidy and Conall Jones all added on points to leave the minimum between the sides and with the game deep in added on time McGovern displayed great composure to send over the equaliser and ensure his side get a second bite at the cherry.