Ultan Kelm is hoping that Erne Gaels can go one better than last year as they look to get across the line and land a first New York Cup since 1981.

In last year’s final the Belleek side were second best to Enniskillen but they have bounced back again this year and victory over Enniskillen last weekend sent them through to back to back finals.

And they are hoping to follow the example of Enniskillen who lost the 2021 decider to Derrygonnelly before coming back to win it 12 months later – the old mantra being that sometimes you have to lose one to win one.

“It is rare that teams get to their first county final in a few years and win it straight away,” said Kelm.

“Last year we weren’t happy in any regards about our showing in the final but the beauty of football is that you get the chance to prove yourself again and we are back in a county final now and have another shot. The learnings from last year are probably why we are back in a county final now,” he added.

This year’s final sees Erne Gaels come up against the might of Derrygonnelly with the Harps remaining the benchmark for all clubs in the county and Kelm knows they face a huge test on Sunday at Brewster Park.

“I’ve played Derrygonnelly three times in the championship and they have won all three times so we are definitely not going to underestimate the challenge we have at the weekend, especially in a final because they have been there that often. They have a lot of experience in their team so it is going to be a massive test,” he stated.

The sides have already met in the group stages of this year’s competition with Derrygonnelly coming out on top by three points in awful conditions in Garrison.

“They had the wind in the first half and there was maybe a bit of naivety on our part on the way we approached it but Derrygonnelly are the team to beat in Fermanagh. They have been in eight of the last nine finals and they know how to win them but we will just focus on ourselves and hopefully we can get a performance,” said Kelm.

Since that loss to Derrygonnelly Erne Gaels have come through two tight battles against Ederney and Enniskillen to progress to the final.

“The Ederney game was the big one, we wouldn’t be happy with how we performed in that at all but we stepped up near the end and got the scores when we needed them to get across the line.

“And we took the learnings from last year and with the hurt from last year that helped us get through at the weekend against Enniskillen,” he added. And he believes that hurt from losing last year’s final can drive them on to victory on Sunday.

“With the hurt from last year and the way the championship has played out so far we have grown in confidence each game and applying both of them together we feel we have enough to get across the line. It is about delivering on the big stage and we are focused on doing that.”

However, he knows it is going to take a top-class display if they are to get their hands on the New York Cup.

“It is going to take a massive performance, to beat Derrygonnelly it always will. You seen the way they came back against Kinawley, they are never beaten.

“They have serious strength in depth and a lot of experience so it is going to take a very serious display to get across the line.”