The wait goes on for Enniskillen Gaels and Erne Gaels as they had to settle for a draw in the rain at Brewster Park.
Enniskillen were looking for their second title in three years while Erne Gaels were looking to end a 43-year famine.
Erne Gaels manager, Declan Bonner, who was sent off for an incident in the second-half was upbeat about the draw but described his dismissal as “nonsense”.
“I thought it was a great game of football, real intensity, real championship football and we live to fight another day,” he said.
“These boys have worked extremely hard since last January since we came in, in January they have shown great application. It’s not perfect by any manner or means. Conditions weren’t great today but a lot of men stood up there and I thought it was a real championship match. Both teams went at it as best they could.”
His opposite number, Simon Bradley, felt both teams will be disappointed not to win it.
“We had a chance there with Callum’s last kick of the game, I’ve seen him put them over,” he said.
“Equally, they had a reasonable chance as well but I think conditions levelled it for both teams and it was always going to be tight and close and we get to go ahead again next Saturday.
“Championship finals are going to be cagey. Erne Gaels haven’t won one for 40 years so they are desperate to win one and so are we. Our boys are a little bit disappointed with their performance so we will be looking to improve.”
Not much separated the sides throughout, with the biggest lead being two points for Enniskillen after a strong start to the second-half.
The first-half was balanced with Erne Gaels landing the final point of the half.
Man of the match Dan McCann hit a monster score for Erne Gaels after five minutes but Enniskillen’s Conor Murphy levelled three minutes later.
Oisin Kelm broke through a soft challenge to point after 12 minutes for Belleek but Ethan Beresford restored parity.
McCann hit another sweet effort off the outside of his left boot on 16 minutes and they then had the only real goal chance from the next kick out.
They turned it over through Shane Rooney but Ultan Kelm’s shot was saved.
Enniskillen went up the pitch and Eoin Beacom converted an easy free to level.
There was an edginess to the game, with some niggling incidents on the field and sideline, but it took almost ten minutes for another score.
Enniskillen took the lead for the first time as Beacom’s effort from distance dropped over the crossbar but Erne Gaels responded well.
A poor Beacom pass allowed Erne Gaels to break and Ultan Kelm pointed before Aogan Kelm did the same to leave it 0-05 to 0-04.
But the lead lasted five minutes as Enniskillen upped the intensity with three points in five minutes from a John Reihill free, then Callum Jones and Beresford pointed to make it 0-07 to 0-05.
Ultan Kelm converted a free but it took 12 minutes for the next score.
And it was worth the wait as McCann hit his third brilliant score to level matters.
Erne Gaels then moved in front with ten minutes to go as Ultan Kelm pointed on the run but a Ross Bogue ’45 restored parity and with time almost up.
In the closing minutes, Rooney failed to convert a 25-yard free in front of the post while Jones also missed a difficult free.
Enniskillen Gaels: R Bogue (0-1,’45); J Tierney, N Tierney, J Horan; C Murphy (0-1), C Quinn, C Smith; E Beresford (0-2), J Cassidy; E Beacom (0-2, 1f), C McShea, C Jones (0-1); C Love, R O’Callaghan, J Reihill (0-1,1f).
Subs: B Horan for Reihill and C Halligan for Beresford (39); C Watson for J Tierney (62).
Erne Gaels: B Ryder; S Mimna, J McCann, U O’Reilly; O Kelm (0-1), B Mullin, R Lyons; M Óg McGarrigle, P Ward; D McCann (0-3), A Kelm (0-1), M Gilfeddar; T McCaffrey, S Rooney, U Kelm (0-3,1f).
Subs: S Ryder for Gilfeddar (43); B McCann for Ward (56).
Referee: Nigel Sweeney (Belcoo)