Devenish 2-12 Tempo 1-05

Cian O’Brien scored 1-07 as Devenish clinched the Erne Cup Two title with a 2-12 to 1-05 victory over Tempo at Brewster Park on Sunday.

Only one point divided the sides at half time, but a Jarlath O’Brien goal early in the second half put the Garrison side in control and Cian O’Brien added a second goal five minutes from time to wrap up a resounding win for Devenish.

Devenish manager Gerard Gallagher felt that Jarlath O’Brien’s goal at the start of the second half was the key score in the contest.

“We had started well but then they came back and we were only one up at half time but we got the goal early in the second half and we didn’t look back after that. We’re delighted with the win,” he said.

And Gallagher believes the influx of young players into the squad this year has made a big impact.

“I’m especially delighted for the young lads who have come in this year from last year’s U-17s.

“There has been five or six of them who have come in and they have given both the reserves and the Seniors a real lift,” he added.

Tempo had made the livelier start to the game as Niall Fee slotted over the opening two scores – the second of which came from a well-struck 45.

However, Devenish soon settled to the task and appeared to be taking charge of the contest as they rattled off the next six points to move into a four-point advantage.

Cian O’Brien opened his and Devenish’s account for the day from a free before then levelling things with a point from play.

From the resulting kick-out Lanty Feely claimed possession in the middle of the park for Devenish and the ball was worked to John O’Flanagan, who fired over to put them in front after 13 minutes.

The score was O’Flanagan’s last action of the game as he was forced off with an injury, but Devenish continued to dictate things as Jamie Flanagan knocked over to make it double scores, 0-04 to 0-02.

Further points then arrived from Cian O’Brien and Flanagan to push the lead out to four points, but just when it seemed as if Devenish would pull away, Tempo hit back with a quickfire 1-01 to tie up matters.

Midfielder Caoimhin Bogue got a touch to a long ball in on top of the Devenish goal to find the back of the net, and when Sean Corry then clipped over a free, it levelled up proceedings at 0-06 to 1-03.

Devenish though had their noses back in front on the stroke of half time as Cian O’Brien knocked over a free to leave one in it at the break.

The gap was then back out to four two minutes into the second half as a well-worked Devenish move resulted in the ball being played to Jarlath O’Brien, who fired to the top corner of the net.

And when Cian O’Brien converted a free and Flanagan tagged on a point from play, it put Devenish into a commanding 1-09 to 1-03 lead.

Tempo’s first score of the second half arrived through a Corry free in the 42nd minute, but Devenish continued to control the play as Flanagan and O’Brien (2) further extended their advantage.

And any doubts about the outcome were ended when a wayward kick-out was picked off by Cian O’Brien who calmly stroked the ball into the unguarded net to make it 2-12 to 1-04.

Tempo did register the last point from a late free, but this was just a consolation score as Devenish finished up comfortable victors.