Belnaleck 2-16 Devenish 0-13 

A full-strength Belnaleck team would be a match for most teams in the county.

And this was amply illustrated in Derrygonnelly where they were made to fight all the way by a typically battling Devenish side.

Goals were crucial and Belnaleck’s brace in the 38th and 50th minute were fortunate as they were partly fashioned from uncharacteristic errors from Devenish’s ex-county keeper Thomas Treacy.

Belnaleck also missed a late penalty as the powerful Darragh McGurn blasted the spot kick over the bar.

This was the first time that Belnaleck had a full team out and the likes of Connor McCauley, Dwayne McNulty, Ciaran McBrien and Garett Cavanagh certainly boosted their chances. Add in the power and pace of Lee and Che Cullen, Kane Connor and Oran McCarney and you have a physically powerful side who are regretting all those missed chances against Teemore.

But they made no mistake against the Fionan O’Brien-inspired Devenish with wing-forward Garvan Quigley, man of the match, finishing with a total of 1-07 to his credit with some very well-struck long-range frees.

Belnaleck were on the front foot from the off.

Quigley rattled over the first two points with McCauley adding a third before Cian O’Brien responded for Devenish with a point.

Quigley and Fionan O’Brien then swapped points as Lanty Feely and Quigley exchanged points to leave the Leckers ahead by 0-05 to 0-03 after 13 minutes.

Points from McCauley and Darragh McGurn made it 0-07 to 0-03 before Jamie Flanagan responded with a well-struck point for the Garrison men.

Ciaran McBrien and Lanty Feely were on target for the Leckers and Devenish respectively in a high octane, high-scoring opening-half.

Veteran Terry O’Flanagan then hit a monster point for Devenish but the inevitable Quigley hit two points, made it 0-10 to 0-06 at the break.

Fionan O’Brien narrowed the gap as Eamon Greene pointed for Belnaleck.

Quigley and Fionan O’Brien traded scores to leave it 0-12 to 0-08 to Belnaleck.

Then a high lob into the Devenish square from Quigley which seemed to be heading for the keeper bounced and McCauley was on hand to scramble the ball home.

This was a killer blow for Devenish.

McGurn and McBrien added on two more points as O’Flanagan hit back with a similar score for Devenish as did sub Jarlath O’Brien and Cian O’Brien as Devenish fought hard to cut the deficit.

But another high ball into the Devenish defence bounced awkwardly over keeper Treacy and Quigley was left with a simple tap into an empty net.

Belnaleck were now ahead by 2-15 to 0-11 and even though Devenish never gave up the deal was sealed.

McGurn blasted a penalty over the bar as Fionan O’Brien hit two points on the trot over the bar to end a free-scoring affair.