Irvinestown 1-14 Belcoo 2-10

A strong start to the second half saw Irvinestown maintain their unbeaten start to Division Two and at the same time inflict a first defeat on Belcoo.

It seemed as if Belcoo were destined for victory as they went six points up midway through the first half, but Irvinestown dug in and at half-time, there was only the minimum between the sides before Irvinestown took control.

Kevin McDonnell opened the scoring as Irvinestown broke forward from the throw-in before Ciarán Flaherty responded.

And from the next attack, Belcoo hit the net as a sideline ball across from Flaherty was palmed to the net by Lawrence McKeown.

And it was 1-02 to 0-01 when Cillian Murray picked up a bad kick out and fired over.

Irvinestown responded through Jack Largo-Elis and then had a fortuitous score bounce over the bar to cut the gap to two points.

McKeown did well to win a dropping ball and fire over and from the next kick out Belcoo put on the pressure and won a free. Some quick thinking from McKeown saw him fire the free to the net, to make it 2-03 to 0-03 after 15 minutes.

Irvinestown would then hit five in a row to leave a point between the sides at the half.

Two frees from Gary Maguire, two frees from Ronan Ormsby and a Stephen Sheridan point left it 2-03 to 0-08 at the break.

Irvinestown’s roll of scores continued at the beginning of the second half with two Maguire frees putting Irvinestown in front.

And from the next kick out the home side cut through with Maguire squaring the ball for Jack Largo-Elis for the easiest of finishes, 1-10 to 2-03. Another Maguire free made it a five-point game before Conor McAloon opened Belcoo’s account in the second half.

Murray would hit his second point of the game but Jack Largo-Elis would get the next score for Irvinestown from a mark.

A Maguire free then made it 1-13 to 2-05 before Belcoo hit four points in a row. Paul McGrath and Gary Doherty converted frees and Flaherty would get two from play. Jack Largo-Elis would fist Irvinestown’s final point to leave it 1-14 to 2-09 at the end.

Belcoo had one final chance and they launched a high ball into the square but Ethan Butler’s shot went over instead of under the bar as Irvinestown held on for the win.

Irvinestown manager, Francie Ward was pleased with his side’s response following Belcoo’s strong start: “Really pleased how the players settled after an explosive start by a well drilled Belcoo side. To show the character to get back into the game and push on after half-time was very pleasing.”

And Ward feels the win puts them in contention for promotion: “Belcoo showed great resilience in getting the last three scores and must feel unlucky not to get a draw. [It’s a] big two points to put us in the mix.”

Irvinestown have a double round of fixtures this weekend with Teemore on Friday and Newtownbutler on Sunday, while Belcoo face Aghadrumsee.