Ulster Club SFC: Kilcoo cruise past Erne Gaels to reach provincial decider

Kilcoo came into the game as heavy favourites and were quick to exert their dominance, Devlin firing to the net after just three minutes after great set-up work from Ceilum Doherty and Callum Rogers.

Shealan Johnston added a point before Ryan Lyons contributed Erne Gaels’ first score after six minutes, landing from two-point range.

The Fermanagh champions would hold possession for long stretches of the half, one of those spells ended with a Brian Mullins point.

Kilcoo went nine minutes without a score before Devlin landed a free, but Michael Og McGarrigle replied for Belleek who had settled well into the contest after a disastrous start.

That steadiness was rocked in the eight minutes before the break, Devlin first struck the post going for goal, before Branagan shot off the laces to the bottom left corner of the net less than 60 seconds later.

Miceal Rooney extended the lead to six before Belleek ended the half with a flourish, Shane Rooney landed a free before Barry McCann scored a two-pointer with the final action of the half. Kilcoo went in leading 2-4 to 0-7 however.

Callum Rogers and Ceilum Doherty fired over quickfire scores at the start of the second half before Dan McCann pointed for Erne Gaels.

As the clock ticked into the final quarter Kilcoo took full control, hitting 2-4 without reply in nine minutes.

Anthony Morgan pointed before two from Ryan Johnston extended the gap out to eight.

It went from bad to worse for Erne Gaels as Brian Ryder’s kick-out went straight to Shealan Johnston who raced through, slotting low under Ryder for his side’s third goal.

Eugene Branagan added a point before the pick of the goals arrived, Doherty spotting Ryder slightly off his line before lobbing the ball over his head into the top right hand corner of the net.

Martin Corey opted to run his bench with victory well secured, substitutes Jack Devlin and Barra McEvoy adding points after a second two-pointer from Lyons.

Belleek did refuse to give up and their efforts were rewarded with a late goal from Seamus Ryder.

Shane Rooney was dismissed after a tackle on Sean Og McCusker earned him a second yellow card but it will be a mere footnote as Kilcoo eased back into the Ulster final.