Standing on the Brewster Park grass minutes after Enniskillen became Fermanagh kingpins for the first time in 16 years, Callum Jones was finding it hard to put into words what it meant to him.

As young Gaels stood by, waiting for the chance of a photo with one of the standout performers on the day, Jones spoke of the harsh lessons learned in 2021 and the hurt that drove this side on.

“We knew last year, we started well the first 15 minutes and we kind of died off and we just knew that couldn’t happen this year,” he said.

“Derrygonnelly absolutely blew us out of the water in the second half last year we didn’t even come close. “And to be fair the boys have worked hard from the game last year.

“After three or four weeks we were back out in the gym and working on our fitness and I think it just showed we were far fitter. Last year we were well off the pace after 15 or 20 minutes you know so I think it is all down to fitness.”

At times the football played by the winners was sublime but the workrate and tenacity was just as good.

The Enniskillen Gaels half-forward line of Jones, Conor McShea and Neil McDermott epitomised it.

All of them were involved in some part for the three Enniskillen goals, while they amassed 1-04 between them.

Jones’s three points were top quality and he was full of confidence throughout.

Again, looking back at last year’s final, there is a huge contrast to the performances: “Last year I was given a role. This year I was given a role but I knew if had more confidence in myself and I worked on my own game they would have to mark me.

“So I’m happy enough [with my performance] but all that matters is we won.

“I just thought the boys were absolutely brilliant. We dominated from the start to finish. I think the pain from last year just drove us on.”

Going into Sunday’s game against Erne Gaels, few would have expected there to be such a gulf between the teams. Over the last couple of years, when the sides have met, it has been more of a shootout and end-to-end football.

But Enniskillen ground Erne Gaels into submission and any sign of a possible comeback was quickly snuffed out.

“We knew ourselves, we have played them over the years and as [Belleek manager] Seamy Ryder said it has been 100mph.

“And we knew we had to suck a bit of life out of them and we knew we had to keep the ball and if we got them early scores, we knew we could because in the league games it has been hell for leather.”

The victory sends Enniskillen into Ulster where they face Gowna of Cavan on November 12.

Jones is part of an up-and-coming side who have competed and triumphed in Ulster before and they are a confident bunch.

“We know Ulster is another step up but we will fancy ourselves against most of those teams if we come with the right attitude and work hard.”

And will we see another period of Enniskillen dominance in Fermanagh football?

“Hopefully,” says Jones with a smile.

“We know ourselves five or six teams are knocking at the door in Senior so it’s one step at a time.”