Ederney 2-09 Derrygonnelly 0-14

Ederney claimed the spoils against Derrygonnelly in the battle of the last two county champions last Thursday night but the Harps will take plenty of positives from their second half display and indeed will feel that they should have taken something out of the game as they bossed proceedings despite playing with 14-men having had Stephen McGullion red carded at the end of the first half.

It was that opening 35 minutes though were the damage was done by Ederney as goals from Marty McGrath and Conor McGee helped them into a six point advantage at the break.

Derrygonnelly did get back on to level terms in the second half as they asserted themselves on the contest but Ederney managed to pick off a couple of vital scores late on to seal the victory.

Ederney manager Michael Cassidy felt it could have gone either way but was pleased with the character his side displayed to take the win.

“Derrygonnelly will probably feel that they could have taken something from it and it could have gone either way but I thought we showed a bit of character to kick the points when we needed them,” he said.

And he is expecting another stern test this Friday night when they take on Belnaleck.

“There are no easy games in this division and Belnaleck is going to be another tough game.”

Harps joint manager Mick Glynn thought his side could have taken a point from the contest after a good second half.

“We were happier with the effort in the second half and felt we could have got a draw out of it,” he said.

And the big tests keep coming for the Harps this week as they meet a Kinawley side who sit top of the table.

“Kinawley will be another tough challenge, they are unbeaten and will be favourites to continue their winning run,” added Glynn.

Ederney’s ability to break with purpose into forward areas was the key factor in the first half and the Harps struggled to deal with this during that period.

Paul McCusker knocked over the opening score for the home side although Derrygonnelly had the first goal chance of the game but Stephen McGullion saw his effort blocked.

From the resultant 45 Conall Jones fired over the equaliser but Ederney responded with two good scores from Mark McCauley who was influential in that opening 30 minutes.

Conor Burns answered for Derrygonnelly, slotting over after they had forced a turnover but it was Ederney who were carrying the greater threat and Enda Cassidy lofted over before another sweeping move saw McCauley register his third point of the night to push the lead out to three.

A good burst forward from Leigh Jones saw him tag on a point for Derrygonnelly but Ederney hit straight back with the first goal of the game in the 22nd minute. An incisive break saw Jacob Britton feed the ball across the goal for Marty McGrath to palm home from close range to make it 1-05 to 0-03.

Conall Jones converted a free in reply for Derrygonnelly but again they were cut open as McGrath laid off to Ryan Maguire and although his shot came back off the post, McGee was on hand to tap into the net as Ederney pushed into a seven point lead.

The Harps did find a positive response to this as Gareth McGovern and Stephen McGullion rattled over points to keep them in touch although Ederney moved six in front as Britton popped over after being found in space.

And Derrygonnelly’s task was made even tougher in added on time at the end of the half as they were reduced to 14-men with the dismissal of McGullion following a challenge on Britton as Ederney went in 2-06 to 0-06 ahead at half time.

Whatever was said in the Derrygonnelly changing room at half time though had the desired effect as they were much improved in the second half.

Conall Jones, who was a key figure for the Harps in the second period, landed the first score of the half with an excellent point from distance and he followed this up with a converted free.

Derrygonnelly were beginning to dictate the terms of the game with Ederney finding it difficult to get any fluidity to their play and Rian McGovern and another two long rang frees from Conall Jones saw the gap trimmed back to one point inside the opening ten minutes of the half.

Ederney did start to get their hands on more ball after this and they did register their first point of the half in the 53rd minute when McCauley pointed from a free to put them two ahead.

Back though came Derrygonnelly and Shane McGullion fired over after a good break before a superb point from Conall Jones levelled up matters at 2-07 to 0-13 with four minutes left on the clock.

Ederney though managed to turn things around late in the game and two points in added on time from Ryan Maguire and a McCauley free put them into a 2-09 to 0-13 lead.

Ederney finished the game with 14-men as Declan McCusker was black carded and although Conall Jones drilled over a late 45 for Derrygonnelly, Ederney held on for the win.