Ederney 1-08 Belcoo 0-12

In the opening round of the Senior Football League it was Belcoo who picked up the two points following a cagey battle away to Ederney last Friday.

The teams had met in the Club Players’ Competition and had to be content with a draw that time; however, Belcoo were able to got their noses in front near the end and hold out for the win.

Nothing could separate the sides at half time, and Ederney did move three points in front early in the second half, but Belcoo outscored them five points to one over the final quarter.

Speaking after the game, Belcoo manager, Aiden Gilroy, said he was pleased to get a win.

“Very happy with the performance, and particularly happy with the character shown and the determination to hang on for the win at the end.”

The home side were first on the board as Ederney won a sideline and Ryan Morris was found in space and he had plenty of time to pop over.

Belcoo had several chances to get on the scoreboard after this, with a number of shots going wide or dropping short, while Chris Snow made a fine save from Paul McGrath’s palmed attempt.

Ciarán Flaherty did level matters after 16 minutes, winning a high ball and pointing, before a short free was worked to Conor McAloon and he put Belcoo into the lead.

A left-footed point from Paul McGrath made it 0-03 to 0-01 with 10 minutes of the half to play; however, a first Ederney point in over 20 minutes from Declan McCusker cut the gap again.

A McGrath mark and Sean Cassidy free would cancel each other out before Belcoo hit three on the trot.

McGrath converted a free and this was followed by a fine score from Jack O’Dolan after patient build-up play.

From the next kick out, Belcoo forced Ederney to kick possession away and a quick sideline ball to Ethan Butler saw him point with the outside of his boot, 0-07 to 0-03.

With the half in injury time, Ederney brought themselves right back into it as McCusker drilled over and this was followed up by a Cassidy goal as he was found over the top to leave it 1-04 to 0-07 at the break.

Ederney’s momentum continued at the start of the second half as they rattled off three points courtesy of Shea Deazley from play, and two Cassidy frees to move 1-07 to 0-07 ahead.

Belcoo were wasteful again and it was not until the 40th minute that they accounted for a score as Flaherty drove at the Ederney defence before popping over, and they would hit another four without reply.

McGrath would then convert a free as he was fouled after good link up play with Flaherty, and it was level shortly after when McAloon hit his second of the day, 1-07 to 0-10.

Cillian Murray then registered a point from a mark and when Dara Flanagan bulled his way through before pointing, a three-point deficit was now a two-point lead for Belcoo with seven to play.

McCusker’s third point of the day would cut the gap to one and while both sides had their chances in the closing stages, Belcoo were able to hold out for a fine opening day win.

Next up for them is a home game against Derrylin, and Gilroy is expecting another challenge: “We are looking forward to Derrylin, first home game and it will be another battle but one we will be ready for.

“I am well aware of the threats that Derrylin pose so hopefully we can deal with them as best we can while giving them plenty to think about also.”

For Ederney, they played on Wednesday night away to Derrygonnelly.