Gaels come back twice to down Gowna on penalties

November 12, 2022

Enniskillen Gaels' Josh Horan gives chase to Gowna's Conor Casey. ©INPHO/John McVitty.

Twice Enniskillen Gaels came from behind to restore parity at the death before emerging victorious 5-3 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Gowna this evening.

The Cavan champions appeared to be heading for victory as Cian Madden pointed them ahead for the first time in injury-time, but substitute Eoin Beacom fired over a 45-yard free to force extra-time (1-13 to 2-10), and Conor Love came to the Gaels' rescue after both teams battled it out for 20 minutes of extra-time which finished at 1-17 to 2-14.

With Cian Madden having his penalty saved by goalkeeper Cian Newman, Ciaran Smith kept his composure to score the winning spot-kick for the Gaels in front of their home crowd, Love, Conor Watson, Beacom and John Reihill also converted.

In normal-time, all three goals arrived in a frantic first-half as Callum Jones, who would see red along with Gowna's Conor Madden as a result of a melee during the latter stages, superbly fired to the bottom corner of the net to put the hosts four points up after twelve minutes.

TJ Fitzpatrick and Robbie Fitzpatrick followed up with majors at the other end, but points by Richard O’Callaghan, Watson and Reihill had the Gaels leading 1-8 to 2-3 at half-time.

Gowna got themselves off to a good start in extra-time with Cian Madden adding two frees and Conor Casey also on target as they led 1-14 to 2-13 at the halfway stage.

However, the impressive Love (who finished with 0-7 to his name) lashed over two points to send the game to penalties.


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