Lynch hits equaliser to share spoils in low scoring affair

Belcoo and Lisnaskea could not be separated after 60 minutes of low-scoring, defensive football last Friday.

Lisnaskea’s defensive set up did what it set out to do and stifled a Belcoo attack which never got going. And when Skea went 1-03 to 0-02 in front early in the second half it looked like there would only be one winner.

However, Belcoo rallied and managed to push in front only for Hayden Lynch to equalise with the last kick of the game. Emmetts manager, John Reihill, felt neither team got to express themselves fully due to the defensive nature of the game.

“I thought we were possibly more in control first half without showing it on the score sheet. Second half we scored the goal which should have put us in a demanding position but it ended up Belcoo got the fortuitous goal and were the better team after it.

“A draw in the end is probably fair enough. Not great for either team with Teemore and Irvinestown looking strong.”

There were only five scores in the first half with the first coming after 12 minutes.

Lisnaskea attacked up the right side before recycling the ball and Justy McDade found Sean Keenan who converted a mark.

Then an unforced error saw Justy McDade win the ball back and he drove at Belcoo only to be fouled with Lynch converting the free.

Belcoo did finally get off the mark when Ciarán Flaherty hitting a fine score off the outside of his boot but the Emmetts responded with another Lynch point.

But Belcoo had the final say when Lawrence McKeown fired over a super score from a mark to leave it 0-03 to 0-02 at the break.

If there was any hope the teams would take out in the second half it was not to be.

Lisnaskea, though, looked to be in firm control as Justy McDade slotted past Gary Doherty early in the half to make it 1-03 to 0-02.

Belcoo needed the next score and they got it somewhat fortuitously when a McKeown shown bounced off the crossbar and Cillian Murray palmed the rebound to the net.

Lynch then made it a two-point game with his third score of the day for the visitors with 15 to play.

And it was a three point game when Justy McDade fired over a 45.

Next four points

But Belcoo would go on to hit the next four scores. Paul McGrath converted a free before hitting a big score from play. A Flaherty mark would level the game and this was followed by a McKeown score to put Belcoo in front for the first time while Lisnaskea were guilty of missed chances.

But with Belcoo trying to hold on to the slender lead, Lisnaskea launched one last attack and after some patient play, Lynch was on hand to level the game and share the points.

Belcoo manager, Barry Hanrahan, was disappointed with how his side performed against the Emmetts’ defensive set up: “I was disappointed with our performance. We played right into their hands. We were too eager and tried to force it at times.

“We made it far too easy for them to execute their defensive game plan.”

Both teams will be hoping to get back to winning ways when Belcoo travel to Irvinestown and Lisnaskea host Teemore this weekend.