Belcoo 3-09 St Oliver Plunketts 2-09

A strong second half performance aided by a hat trick of goals from full forward Patrick Magee saw Belcoo claim the U-17 B Championship title after a thrilling final against St. Oliver Plunkett’s in Garrison last Wednesday night.

The Ederney/Coa amalgamation had started the game the brighter and a Ciaran Dillon goal on the stroke of the water- break, added to points from Darragh Murphy and Shea Deazley, gave them a 1-02 to 0-00 lead.

Indeed, the lead could have been greater only for a wonderful save from Belcoo goalkeeper Jamie Ray.

Belcoo got up and running early in the second quarter with Michael Burns opening their account before Eoin Corrigan tagged on a point, but St. Oliver Plunketts responded with three points on the bounce from Caoilte Farry, Shea Deazley and Murphy.

Belcoo though answered with scores from Burns and Cillian Whitford to leave four in it at half time, 1-05 to 0-04.

And the gap was back to one early in the second half as Magee scrambled the ball to the net after a sideline ball from the excellent Josh Killilea dropped in the square.

Plunketts though replied straight away with a goal of their own, Lughaidh Donnelly driving forward before stroking the ball to the net.

Kililea, Burns and Corrigan fired over for Belcoo, while Farry registered for St. Oliver Plunkett’s to leave the Ederney/Coa side leading by two, 2-07 to 1-08, going into the final quarter.

But Belcoo grabbed the lead on the resumption as Magee applied the finishing touches after a long ball was not dealt with by the Plunketts defence, and although Farry levelled up the game, Belcoo then swooped for their third goal.

Magee was quickest to react to slot home after a Burns effort was parried by the goalkeeper, and Killilea followed up with a point from a free to make it a four-point game.

Donnelly did fire over a point for St. Oliver Plunketts but they could not find the goal they needed as Belcoo held on to claim the victory.