Ravenous Fenagh dethrone Leitrim Gaels to end Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Final jinx in style

It is almost trite to suggest the cliche ‘goals win games’ in relation to Sunday’s Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Final but maybe it was goals at just the right time proved key for Fenagh St Caillins as they dethroned Leitrim Gaels in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

​With echoes of Ballinamore’s stunning surge against Mohill, a ravenous Fenagh trailed by six point midway through the second half when Riordan O’Rourke drilled the ball to the Leitrim Gaels net, infusing his team with a renewed sense of self-belief and puncturing the champions’ serene path back to the final.

In a frantic final quarter, Leitrim Gaels showed their champions mettle to respond time and time again but when Oisin McLoughlin plundered a thunderous third goal, the Gaels lost their crown and Fenagh ended a heartbreaking run of semi-final defeats.

Credit both teams for delivering excellent fare in difficult conditions but the enduring memory will be of Fenagh players hunting in packs in the final quarter as they qualified for their first final in 23 years.

Riordan O’Rourke was Fenagh’s main man, an inspirational performance and his goal midway through the second half gave Fenagh the lifeline they desperately needed and they never looked back. Daniel & Oisin McLoughlin came up with huge scores on an incredible day for the Men in Black & Red but the game’s most impressive player was David Bruen, simply exceptional with eight points and a tireless display – Steven Poacher would surely love to see the former county captain back home on Irish shores.

David Bruen opened the scoring after a minute, Riordan O’Rourke quickly replying before Stephen Goldrick landed a two point free. Riordan O’Rourke under pressure and Gearoid Curley swapped points before Callum Andrews (free) and Riordan O’Rourke tied the scores after 11 minutes.

But Leitrim Gaels were using the wind well as Goldrick dodged a defender to land a two pointer before Shaun Chandler went through the centre to point. But that Gaels’ three point lead was wiped out when Donal Wrynn found a raiding Dara Greenan, his cross-goal pass finding Daniel McLoughlin who made no mistake from close range.

The champions showed what they were made of as they reeled off eight unanswered points over the next ten minutes, Curley tapping over a long ball before Bruen landed two huge two pointers. A Fenagh three man breach escaped notice but a slick move ended with Curley firing over for the Gaels.

Conall Jones added a superb two pointer after good work from Jamie Rynn but crucially, Fenagh reeled off three unanswered points before halftime, Ryan O’Rourke landing a free before Ruairi O’Rourke and Oisin McLoughlin hit points to leave Leitrim Gaels 0-15 to 1-7 ahead.

The conventional wisdom was Fenagh would take control with the wind but it was Leitrim Gaels who controlled the game, holding onto possession and despite a sixth minute Ryan O’Rourke free, David Bruen added two more singles, breaking tackles as the Gaels led by six midway through the half but it could have been more as Shane Rynn saw a goal chance saved by Callum Andrews.

But the tenor of the game changed when Donal Wrynn’s ball found Riordan O’Rourke behind the defence and his precise finish got Fenagh moving again. That rally might not have happened had Eoin McLoughlin received a sterner sanction for a heavy and high challenge on Stephen Goldrick, the yellow a relief for Fenagh.

Goldrick put the Gaels four clear but successive two pointers from Riordan O’Rourke and Donal Wrynn had the scores level with nine minutes to go. Jamie Rynn edged the Gaels back in front after a Shaun Chandler run but a huge Fergal McLoughlin two put Fenagh back in front.

David Bruen levelled for Leitrim Gaels but the next kickout broke beautifully for Fenagh, Oisin McLoughlin charging through before firing a low shot to the net from about 20 yards, a great point from sub Shane Greenan sealing the four point victory.

Leitrim Gaels tried to engineer a late comeback but had costly wides while the dismissal of Conall Jones, a harsh call in this observer’s eyes, ended the champions chances as Fenagh wildly celebrated ending their semi-final jinx.

FENAGH ST. CAILLINS

Scorers: Riordan O’Rourke 1-5, tp; Oisin McLoughlin 1-1; Daniel McLoughlin 1-0; Ryan O’Rourke (2f), Donal Wrynn (tp) & Fergal McLoughlin (tp) 0-2 each; Callum Andrews (f), Ruairi O’Rourke & Shane Greenan 0-1 each

Team: Callum Andrews; Daniel McLoughlin, Gary Butler, Conal McGovern; Eoin McLoughlin, Caillin O'Rourke, Dara Greenan; Donal Wrynn, Colm McLoughlin; Fergal McLoughlin, Oisin McLoughlin, James Gilheaney; Ruairi O'Rourke; Ryan O'Rourke, Riordan O'Rourke. Subs: Shane Greenan for Gilheany (40); Aaron Smith for C O’Rourke (62)

LEITRIM GAELS

Scorers: David Bruen 0-8, 2 tp; Stephen Goldrick 0-5, tpf, tp; Gearoid Curley 0-3; Conall Jones 0-2, tp; Jamie Rynn & Shaun Chandler 0–1 each

Team: Brian Cull, Shane Finn, Stephen McDermott, Ryan Goldrick, Jamie Rynn, Shaun Chandler, Jack Flynn, Ryan Jones, Aidan Flynn, Gearoid Curley, Stephen Goldrick, David Bruen, James Shanley, Conall Jones, Shane Rynn. Subs: Eunan Treacy for Shanley (23); Ronan Connolly for Finn (HT); Brian Goldrick for S Rynn (47); Aaron McLoughlin for Connolly (54); David Regan for Curley (56)

Referee: Mark McCloskey