Ulster penalty heartbreak for Gowna as Gaels progress

Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) 1-17 Gowna (Cavan) 2-14 AET Gaels win 5-3 on pens

Enniskillen Gaels sealed their place in the last four of the Ulster Club SFC with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Cavan champions Gowna in Brewster Park on Saturday night.

In an absorbing contest, Enniskillen had never been behind until Cian Madden's free two minutes into added on time at the end of normal time.

However, a superb long range free from Enniskillen’s Eoin Beacom ensured that the game went to extra time.

And after Gowna had raced into a three-point lead in the first period of extra time, Enniskillen dug in and two Conor Love points sent he tie to a shoot-out.

As it happened, Enniskillen were flawless from the spot as they fired home their first four kicks while goalkeeper Cian Newman saved from Cian Madden.

And it was left to Ciaran Smith to fire home the decisive spot kick as Enniskillen progressed to the final four.

The home side had looked lively in the early stages and by the end of the first quarter they had forged a four-point lead thanks to Callum Jones’ well finished goal.

However, Gowna looked threatening themselves and TJ Fitzpatrick arrowed to the net before Robbie Fitzpatrick then palmed home after good work by Cian Madden to leave it 1-05 to 2-02 after 22 minutes.

Enniskillen though regained the initiative before the break as Richard O’Callaghan, Conor Watson and John Reihill tossed over points to help them into a 1-08 to 2-03 half time advantage.

Conor Casey registered the opening score of the second half for Gowna but the impressive Jones and Love replied for Enniskillen as they moved three clear.

Gowna though started to get a greater footing and Cian Madden clipped over two frees while Conor Madden knocked over