Belcoo too strong for Magpies as they set up derby encounter

A comfortable eight point victory for Belcoo on Sunday has set up a mouthwatering derby semi-final in the Intermediate Championship with neighbours Devenish.

Belcoo took an early lead and they were never going to give it up with a goal mid way through the half giving them a comfortable cushion.

Looking back at the game, Belcoo manager, Barry Hanrahan, was pleased with what he saw from his players.

“It was good to get the win. The first round of championship always brings added pressure. Nobody wants to fall into the relegation battle.

“I felt we played with a measure of control. We improved on a lot of things from the league. It’s good to see progress being made for the future.”

It was a quick start from the winners as Lawrence McKeown made a big impact hitting the first two scores.

Aghadrumsee replied with an Eddie Courtney free but this was cancelled out with a Matthew McAloon free to make it 0-03 to 0-01.

A fine Enda McCabe score cut it to one point after patient build up play.

Conor McAloon responded with a great score from the left as Belcoo kept the scoreboard ticking over but Enda McCabe was fouled for Courtney to convert a free.

Paul McGrath popped up with a fisted score after being played in by his brother, James to leave it 0-05 to 0-03 at the water break.

James McGrath hit a fine score to push Belcoo three points ahead and from the kick out Belcoo found the back of the net.

McKeown intercepted a short kickout and he passed to Ciarán Flaherty who in turn found Paul McGrath.

His shot was saved but Flaherty followed up to fire the rebound to the net, 1-06 to 0-03.

Aghadrumsee responded straight away with a Darren Kearns score but McKeown replied with his third score of the game.

An outrageous sideline ball from Courtney cut the Belcoo lead to five points and it was down to four points when Courtney got a fist to high ball in to the Belcoo square and it was to be the last score as the half ended 1-07 to 0-06.

Enda McCabe did have an early goal chance at the beginning of the half but it was well saved by Gary Doherty and the resulting 45 almost saw a Courtney goal but Niall Leonard was on hand to clear.

Gerry Beggan made it a three pint game with a score from the right

Belcoo registered their first point of the game from Matthew McAloon after being played in by Ryan McGovern and it was followed by a McKeown fisted point.

Belcoo hit a third on the bounce with a fantastic Matthew McAloon score from out wide and it could have been even better but Dara Flanagan rattled the crossbar when one on one with the keeper.

Courtney popped over a free with Flaherty with a score for Belcoo just before the water break to leave it 1-11 to 0-08.

Belcoo then saw the rest of the game out with late scores from Dara Flanagan and substitutes Dean McDermott and Cillian Murray as they ran out eight point winners and set up the tie with Devenish.

With Devenish up next, Hanrahan knows the challenge ahead for his side: “We are looking forward to playing Devenish in the semi final.

“They are a seasoned Division One side and would probably be seen as the favourites. That stands to reason I suppose, since we are currently Division Two. But they are just another team as far as we are concerned.

“We are going into the game with a lot of confidence and we plan plan to win. There’s no pressure on us. I suppose most of the pressure is on them. It will be a good game I suspect.”