Belnaleck 0-13 Devenish 0-11

A power-packed second-half display from county star Darragh McGurn helped Belanleck to a narrow victory over Devenish in a hard-fought affair last Friday evening.

The towering midfield weighed in with some well taken points as well as winning considerable possession as the home side hit two late points to seal the deal.

Devenish had led by 0-07 to 0-05 at the break but a Belnaleck surge saw them draw level and edge clear to give them maximum points from two outings.

The sides were tied at 0-11 each with five minutes remaining in an entertaining second-half before Belnaleck prevailed.

Joe O’Brien, JJ O’Brien, Cian O’Brien, Terry O’Flanagan, and Jamie O’Flanagan were all on target for Devenish.

Belnaleck replied through the impressive Bryan Owens (0-02), Darragh McGurn (0-02), Glenn Treacy in a first half that Devenish shaded as Belnaleck found it difficult to penetrate their well-organized defence under the outstanding Barry Mulrone.

Belnaleck however, got a grip in midfield and hit five points on the trot from Kane Connor, a superb Owens effort, McGurn and Treacy with McGurn adding the final points.

Happy Belnaleck boss Daniel Kille was glad to put another two precious points on the board.

“There was very little between the sides," he said.

"It was hard fought and tight and fairly physical and Devenish were three points up in the second half.

“That was a big lead but Darragh McGurn stood up big time and took the game to Devenish and he was very direct and hit quite a few scores and we hit five points on the spin to go 0-11 to 0-09 up near the end after they had led by 0-09 to 0-06.

“Devenish levelled it a 0-11 each but thankfully we found two scores from Darragh to seal the victory.

“Both teams had goal chances in the second half which they did not take, and Devenish might have kicked on had they taken their goal chance.”

Devenish joint manager Marty O’Brien said it was disappointing not to get something out of the encounter.

“We played well in the first half and were two points up at the break and stretched that to three points, but Belnaleck went on a bit of a run and went a few clear and we levelled it and both sides had chances, but they took theirs.

“It was disappointing not to come out with anything as we played well.

“Darragh McGurn played very well for Belnaleck and he is a very powerful player who is almost impossible to stop when in full flight.

“Barry Mulrone had a great game for us and Malachy O’Flanagan had to go off injured and had been a doing a good job on Darragh McGurn.