Erne Gaels 2-06 Belnaleck 3-04

Forget the final scoreline as an impressive Belnaleck side took their first win of the season against a decimated but poor Erne Gaels side in Belleek.

For, the home side’s two goals came in injury time, the first from an Aogan Kelm shot that was deflected to the net off a Belnaleck defender and veteran Seamus Ryder got the second on the full-time whistle.

And it was goals that gave Belnaleck the vital edge in the first half when James Speight, Eamon Greene and Darragh McGurn breezed through an Erne Gaels defence that was as wide open as Bundoran on a 12th weekend.

But, it took two top-class saves from Belleek keeper Brian Ryder to prevent two more majors in the second

Those well-finished goals in 8th, 19th and 23rd minute pushed the winners into a 3-00 to 0-05 lead at the break against a Belleek side who were missing seven regulars, which gives some context.

In contrast, Belnaleck welcomed back county stars Che Cullen and Darragh McGurn who dominated midfield and Kane Connors who was back from injury.

The home side were on top in the early stages with points from Tommy McCaffrey. But this was negated by a well-struck James Speight goal on a swift break after eight minutes.

Paul McCaffrey levelled matters for the home side and dual star Odhran Johnston struck a fine point to put the home side ahead by a point.

However, Belnaleck centre forward Eamon Greene almost casually soloed through the Belleek defence and placed a low shot past Ryder to restore the visitor's lead.

Aogan Kelm hit Belleek’s fifth point before McGurn finished a fine move to the net to leave Daniel Kille’s men leading by four points at the break.

It did not get any better for Belleek on the resumption as they could only manage one point, from Kelm, in the entire second half as Belnaleck tacked on four points - two from the influential McGurn and one each from the nippy Bryan Owens and Ryan Cassidy.

A delighted Belnaleck boss Daniel Kille said that irrespective of the strength of the opposition, this was an important win for his side.

“We have been working on a structure over the past few weeks and Darragh, Che and Kane gave us that bit extra power around the middle which we did not have previously.

“They are real leaders and I thought we defended very well. Letting in those two late goals took a bit of the gloss off the victory.

“But that is our first win and to do it in Belleek regardless of how many they are missing is a good night for us and a savage victory and it is my first victory as a manager as well.

“We are focusing on performances that will lead to positive results.

“We knew we had a structure to take Belleek on and thus it proved.”

Unsurprisingly, Erne Gaels boss Declan Bonner was less happy with his charges.

“It was disappointing, and we had a lot of attacks and could not score.

“We went through the Players' League conceding no goals and now we let in three goals in the first half.

“Our players just switched off and at this level, you are going to be punished and three goals are very hard to claw back.

“But fair play to Belnaleck as they took their chances and I know we were down seven or eight players, but players are getting a chance, and they have to deliver.

“We just did not deliver, and we might have one or two players coming back next week but our performance was not anywhere near good enough.

“We spoke to the players and told them that this standard is just not acceptable.”