Ciaran Flaherty prepares to collide with Declan Rasdale
Belcoo……………………………….1-8
Devenish……………………………3-9
Belcoo’s disappointing start to the season continued with this seven point home defeat to visiting neighbours Devenish, though they were a shade unfortunate to be that much adrift at the finish.
In the end it more or less came down to the ability to snap up the goal chances which were created and Devenish snapped up their opportunities while Belcoo did not.
A couple of clear openings for Belcoo in the second half especially were spurned and Devenish were to seal the result with their third goal of the evening, a few minutes from time.
Devenish in fact were immediately on the goal trail as they grabbed the first of their hat trick in the initial minutes, a Belcoo defensive error and Terry O’Flanagan was on hand to score.
However Belcoo did respond smartly to this early setback with a terrific point slotted over by Stephen Maguire and Ronan Ferguson moving on to a Paul McGrath pass hit a goal.
Belcoo had embarked on what was to be their best spell of the hour and they pushed out further in front with points from Jonathan Feely, Ciaran Flaherty and Ronan Ferguson.
Devenish did answer with scores from John O’Flanagan but they were under pressure from a home side who were purposeful in most things that they did.
Yet it was Devenish who were to go in at the interval holding the lead and they managed this with a penalty goal from O’Flanagan close to the break.
Just a lead of a point, that stretched to two with O’Flanagan hitting the first score of the second half.
The leaders then had a let off as Belcoo should have notched a goal but Paul McGrath failed to beat keeper Thomas Treacy and Devenish struck back with two quick points to emphasise the failure.
But Belcoo did finally get back on track to some degree with a brace of points knocked over by Stephen Maguire and Ciaran Flaherty and the game remained poised.
Again Belcoo carved out a goaling chance, Jonathan Feely the creator but again no reward and Devenish had a swift counter raid which had Jason Love sending in a pass to Garvin Gallagher who banged in his goal, Devenish’s third.
A lead which might have reduced to a single point was suddenly transformed into a margin of seven and Devenish had no trouble in holding their advantage over the run in to secure a vital away win.
For the losing side, James McGrath in the middle of the park and Garvin Leonard in defence both produced enterprising displays on a side who played better than the seven point defeat would suggest.
For Devenish, John O’Flanagan was always at the heart of their performance and up front Chris O’Brien was quick and sharp at corner forward.