Belcoo 2-12 Kinawley 0-11

Belcoo marked their return to Division One with a well-earned seven-point victory over Kinawley in the first round of the Club Players’ Competition.

Two first-half goals for the O’Rahillys put them in a commanding position, leading by six points at the break, and they were able to maintain this gap throughout the second half, despite the bullish efforts and accuracy from Tomás Corrigan.

‘Thoroughly deserved it’

For Belcoo’s new manager, Aiden Gilroy, he knew that his side were capable of getting the win: “It was good to get the win and and I thought we thoroughly deserved it.

“Kinawley are an established quality Division One side but we knew if we worked hard we could get a result. It gives us great confidence going forward in the Club Players’ Competition and shows that we can compete in Division One.”

It was Kinawley who started well with Corrigan causing problems early on.

From the throw-in they went on the attack and Corrigan pointed before Paul Breen converted a free shortly after to make it 0-02 to no score.

Belcoo’s first score of the game was a goal as Ciarán Flaherty played a one-two with Dara Flanagan before firing to the roof of the net to give Belcoo the lead.

Corrigan converted a free to level matters but a Flaherty point and Phillip Leonard mark made it 1-02 to 0-03.

Sean McManus and Paul McGrath would trade scores from play before Corrigan and Leonard swapped frees.

That was to be Kinawley’s final score of the half as McGrath from a mark and Dean McDermot from play made it 1-06 to 0-05 before Belcoo struck for their second goal.

Jack O’Dolan claimed a Kinawley kick-out and played in Lawrence McKeown. He passed to Leonard who slotted the ball under Owen Malanaphy to leave it 2-06 to 0-05 at the break.

Like the first half, Kinawley started the second well as Corrigan rattled over two scores despite being under pressure but Belcoo responded with three on the bounce.

Flaherty, McGrath and a fine long-range free from Gary Doherty put eight between the sides, 2-09 to 0-07.

Corrigan would hit four frees over the remainder of half while two McGrath frees either side of a Leonard point ensured Belcoo kept a comfortable lead.

Kinawley’s Patrick McGovern was played in on goal by Corrigan late on, but his shot was pushed out for a 45 by Ryan McGovern as Belcoo picked up their first points of the year.