Maguiresbridge 2-04 Irvinestown 3-17

It was all one-way traffic at Páirc na hÓige on Friday evening as Irvinestown strolled past Maguiresbridge to confirm promotion to Division One at the first time of asking.

The St. Molaise’s side suffered relegation last year alongside St. Pat’s, Donagh but after eight wins and one draw from their nine league games, they will make a swift return to the topflight in Fermanagh.

Goals from Darragh McPhillips and Sean Corrigan gave the home side an early lead, but Irvinestown took the reins from there on out as Gary Maguire and Mattie McDermott netted in the opening half while Josh Largo-Elis added a third goal shortly after halftime.

Irvinestown will wait to find out their league final opponents as Tempo and Teemore meet at St. Patrick’s Park this Friday to decide second spot.

After holding onto possession in the opening seconds, Maguiresbridge struck for the first score of the game as Darragh McPhillips snuck in behind the visitor’s defence, and at the second time of asking found the roof of the net with a near-post effort.

Ronan Ormsby quickly responded at the other end with a shot on the turn and another followed shortly after.

James Hanna added a point, but the ‘Bridge were again clinical at the other end as Sean Corrigan latched onto a ball over the top, and he stayed cool to apply a low soccer-style finish under the Irvinestown goalkeeper, to find the net again.

The home side wouldn’t add to their tally again until the second half as Shane McDermott’s side pulled both goals back and edged further ahead with points from Liam Murphy, Josh Largo-Elis, Hanna, Mattie McDermott and Conor O’Hanlon.

Josh Largo-Elis’ ball into the square saw Ormsby brought down and the resultant penalty was drilled down the middle of the net by Gary Maguire.

McDermott found a second goal when he rounded goalkeeper Feidhlim O’Connor and produced a delicate chip to find the far side of the net from an angle as the away team took a 2-09 to 2-00 in at the break.

There was no let-up in the second half, with Hanna, McDermott, O’Hanlon and Ormsby landing early points. Mark Hughes eventually got Maguiresbridge going with a kick from range, but Josh Largo-Elis bagged a third goal when he finished to an empty net following a turnover in defence.

Hughes tagged on three ‘Bridge frees that were only a consolation to further scores from Jack and Josh Largo-Elis, O’Hanlon, Hanna, Jarlath Maguire and substitute Caolan Ward.