ERNE GAELS OPEN WELL

ERNE GAELS............................ 2-11

ENNISKILLEN GAELS ................ 4-3

Erne Gaels made it a winning start to their first division campaign when they beat off the feisty challenge of Enniskillen in a game which saw a lot of goals scored. And the first goal wasn't long in arriving, Enniskillen finding the net in the opening minute, Conor McAleer on the mark for them.

Enniskillen however were unable to build on this early breakthrough and it was Erne Gaels who steadily improved as the half progressed, their cause helped by a goal form Ryan Lyons on the 15th minute mark. Points from Ronan Cox and Sean Sands boosted Erne Gaels into a three point lead at the break and they were to remain the sharper team for the rest of the contest.

But they were never able to establish a really secure lead. Enniskillen kept themselves at least on the fringes of a win, with a further three goal haul, John Dooris, Marty Markey and Paul Lunney all hitting the net. But it was Erne Gaels who always had the more assured look, they had a second goal from Sean Sands and were to regularly pop over points, Gregory McGloin and Martin Kilfeather much to the fore here.

For the winners, Brian Mullin was steady in defence, Gary O'Connor was also a tight marker at centre back and Barry McCann also had his moments.

For Enniskillen, Liam Lindsay worked hard in the middle of the park, Conor McAleer and Marty Markey were to be their more consistent figures in the forward line.

HOLDERS GO DOWN

BELNALECK ............................. 2-8

TEMPO ....................................0-8

A goal on either side of half time for Belnaleck proved to be the crucial scores in this contest. Playing with the benefit of a strong breeze in the opening half, Belnaleck made an encouraging start with a couple of early points but then they found themselves on the back foot for a quarter hour as Tempo upped the pace of their game.

The visitors were to have points from Ryan Ingram, Dean Donnelly and Ciaran Flanagan and were to move two points in front but that was to be as good as it was to get for them. Belnaleck began a sturdy revival that was engineered by excellent play from midfielder Matthew McCauley and Kane Connors, with half backs Martin and Ronan Quigley giving first rate support.

Close to the break Belnaleck were to score a hugely important goal, this one thumped home by Stephen Fox and it pushed them four points clear. They did have to face the wind in the second half however but instead of Tempo grasping the initiative, it was Belnaleck who made the early running.

They had a quick point and followed that up with the all important second goal, Jason Taylor driving home his score. Tempo were now in deep trouble being eight points adrift and they never looked capable of eliminating the deficit.

They were to have a fair measure of attacking play in the final quarter but they lacked a scoring touch and in the end Belnaleck, who had always shaped up as the more enthusiastic and cohesive side were well worth their six point success.

The other game in this division, Devenish at home to Irvinestown has been rescheduled for this Wednesday evening.

DIVISION TWO GAMES

ST PATRISK'S EDGE IT

DERRYLIN ............................... 1-7

ST PATRICKS ...........................2-6

This was to be a low scoring affair in the first half with both sets of defences very much on top and at the interval each side had managed a paltry two points. Matters were to pick up in the scoring department after the changeover and the game became a much more open and fluid one.

In the end it was the two goals which St Patrick's scored which were to be decisive those scores coming ten minutes into the half and four minutes from full time. Eugene Cadden and Sean Montgomery were the St Patrick's marksmen and Mongomery was in fact to be one of the game's leading figures as he also chipped in with a three points haul.

Others to shine for St Patricks included Thomas McDermott and Louis Maguire with Jamie Treacy and Philip Mulligan also doing well for them.

Paul Lunney was to shoot both of Derrylin's first half points and in the second half their goal was supplied by John McGoldrick, this coming ten minutes from time and it kept the hopes of the O'Connell's alive until St Patrick's grabbed their decisive second goal close to the finish.

For Derrylin, there were to be excellent contributions from Ryan Maguire and Louis Leonard with Caolan Winterson also doing well in the half forward line.

DRAWN TIE

ST JOSEPHS ............................ 2-7

LISNASKEA ........................... 0-13

A draw the outcome here with St Josephs grabbing the two goals that they scored in the opening and closing minutes of the contest. In between Lisnaskea had generally been the more productive side and regularly fired over their points but in the end it was the Emmets who had to salvage the draw.

St Joseph's with their second goal had suddenly put themselves into a winning position, that score putting them a point in front with injury time already underway. But Lisnaskea earned the draw their sturdy efforts deserved as Justin Kelly knocked over a very late equaliser.

For St Joseph's there were to be strong showings from Michael McAleer, Declan McCusker and Finnbarr Gillen.

For Lisnaskea, defenders Sean McDermott and Mark Smith were much to the fore and further up the park Ryan O'Keefe, Ciaran Conlon and Francis Maguire impressed.