‘Players have given us decisions to make for Championship’ - Bradley

Enniskillen Gaels produced a storming final quarter as they battled back from three points down to claim a 2-11 to 0-10 victory over Roslea at Brewster Park on Sunday.

Things looked to be going the way of Peter McGinnity’s Shamrock side when they moved three clear midway through the second half while Enniskillen were reduced to 14 men after Eoin Beacom picked up a second yellow card.

However, the home side took control and rattled off five points in a row to turn the deficit into a two point advantage and although Sean Quigley clipped over a free to leave the minimum in it, the Gaels were not to be denied and two Conor Love goals in added on time wrapped up the win.

Enniskillen coach Simon Bradley was pleased with the win and feels that they have a some big decisions to make when sitting down to pick the team to face Irvinestown in the championship next week.

“It was a different test for us against a very well organised defence which took us a long time to breakdown but I thought we finished the game really well.

“We as a management have a lot of decisions to make for the championship game because players have come in and put their hand up which is what you want,” he said.

The Gaels are the favourites for the Intermediate Championship but Bradley doesn’t see it that way.

“It is a very competitive championship and there are a number of sides who will feel that they can go on and win it.

“We are just looking to the Irvinestown game and we are not reading anything into their heavy defeat on Sunday, championship is a different ball game.

“We are looking forward to it though and playing Division One football is definitely helping us,” he added.

It was Roslea who made the brighter start to the game with Sean Quigley slotting over a lovely point from the right hand side after only 15 seconds while the Gaels had Paddy Cassidy sent to the sin bin for ten minutes after he had blocked off an opponent.

John Reihill did open the home side’s account when he converted a mark but Roslea replied with three points in a row to move into a 0-04 to 0-01 lead by the 14th minute.

Quigley fired over another point from the right, Shane Lynch knocked over a mark before a Quigley free put the away side three in front as the opening quarter came to a close.

It was tit for tat over the next period as Richard O’Callaghan blasted over for Enniskillen before Roslea swept down the other end for Brendan Sherlock to point.

John Reihill and Quigley then exchanged points from frees but it was Enniskillen who finished the half stronger as Reihill converted another mark while Love registered a fine point from play to leave Roslea one up at the interval, 0-05 to 0-06.

The home outfit carved out the first real goal chance of the contest on the resumption as O’Callaghan and Love combined to set up Conor Murphy but his effort was saved by goalkeeper James Boyle at his near post.

Ronan Beattie though did send over a good point to level things up at 0-06 apiece soon after and at this stage the momentum looked as if it may be with the Gaels.

However, Roslea enjoyed their best spell of the half after this as Quigley tapped over two close in frees before a good break put Sherlock in but he fizzed his shot across the face of the goal and wide.

A second yellow for Beacom followed and when James McMahon sent a booming effort over the bar it put the Shamrocks three points to the good and seemingly in a good position to push on for the win.

The dismissal though seemed to fire up the Gaels who gained the upperhand through to the finish.

Enniskillen had struggled to make inroads against a packed Roslea defence but as the half wore on and with the visitors beginning to tire they did begin to make headway.

Timmy Boyd landed two points in quick succession before Jonny Cassidy swung over the equaliser after Enniskillen had turned over possession.

O’Callaghan and Conor Murphy then followed up with further points as Enniskillen moved two ahead, 0-11 to 0-09, with nine minutes to go.

Quigley kept Roslea in touch as he registered his seventh point before a flash point saw referee James Lewis brandish three yellow cards for each side, including a second for Jonny Cassidy as Enniskillen were reduced to 13 men.

However, the Gaels made light of their numerical disadvantage and those two cracking Love finishes in added on time secured the points.