Belcoo 1-10 Roslea 2-10

Roslea had to wait until Round Two of the Club Players’ Competition to get their competitive season underway and it was worth the wait as they had enough to overcome Belcoo in perfect conditions last Friday night.

A second-half goal was the difference between the sides as Ciaran Murphy’s charges picked up the two points.

It took a while for the first score of the game as both sides missed chances. 

It was Roslea who scored first as half-back Adam O’Callaghan was played in by Darragh O’Flanagan before converting.

Belcoo responded as Ciarán Flaherty won possession before slicing the ball over the bar but Roslea answered from the kickout with a full-length move that ended in Sean Quigley turning and scoring, 0-02 to 0-01.

Quigley then converted a free after a foul on O’Callaghan but Belcoo were back on the attack as Ethan Butler pointed on the run.

Roslea had a goal chance but Niall Clerkin fired straight at Gary Doherty with Quigley converting from the rebound.

Paul McGrath hit a good score from the right but again Quigley was on target for Roslea.

Roslea would find the back of the net from their next attack as a shot in was dropped by keeper Doherty and Adam O’Callaghan was on hand to scramble the ball to the net.

Quigley knocked over another free straight after before Flaherty hit a second point to leave it 1-06 to 0-04 in Roslea’s favour at the break.

The second half’s first score was slow to come just like the first but it came courtesy of a Paul McGrath free for Belcoo but it was cancelled out by a super score from Quigley off his left.

Belcoo responded through a Josh Killilea point but again Quigley was on target from two frees to make it 0-06 to 1-09.

A Dara Flanagan turnover in midfield then allowed Eoin Corrigan to fire over.

The next score would leave just two points between the sides as Belcoo again turned the ball over and a long ball forward evaded Belcoo and Roslea players but was latched onto by McGrath who fired to the net, 1-07 to 1-09.

Quigley and McGrath would then trade frees before Roslea got the decisive second goal as Belcoo were reduced to 14 men following a Butler black card for a late hit.

A ball across the Belcoo goal was kept in by Quigley and following a bit of scramble, Darragh O’Flanagan fired to the net.

Good scores from Conor McAloon and Aaron Dolan would leave a goal between the sides and they had a late chance when the ball broke for Lawrence McKeown but he fizzed an effort that appeared to be over the bar but was waved wide as the game finished 2-10 to 1-10 for the visitors.

Up next for Belcoo is the challenge of Belnaleck while Roslea will travel to Erne Gaels.