Belcoo Minor Girls got their Division 1 League campaign off to a winning start with a 3-14 to 3-12 win in Derrygonnelly on Thursday evening. It was an excellent game of football, level on a number of occasions and level with 4minutes to play, Belcoo eeked out the final two points from Mikayla Maguire & Scarlett O’Connor to seal a hard earned victory.
Derrygonnelly made the better start and had 2-2 on the board within 6minutes. Lucy Leonard and Shauna Elliott with goals while Aoibh Love had a brace of points. Belcoo’s sole reply coming from the excellent Sinead Barrett. The O’Rahilly’s began to take control of the contest at this point and Eve Barrett kicked a good point from play. Belcoo had squandered a few opportunities before Mikayla Maguire landed a free kick. A two point blast from Leonard and Elliott seen the home side lead 2-4 to 0-3 on 15minutes.
Belcoo began to pin back the home side, plenty of scoring chances were created, some good moves and link up play developed and soon the deficit was cut to two points, Mikayla Maguire’s dipping free found the net while Cara Gray pointed after a long run down the middle of the Harps defence.
A wonderful move from back to front seen Belcoo take the lead on 19minutes. A quick interchange of passes between Rhianne McGuinness and Sam Martin sent Cara Gray racing forward again, this time she drew the last defender to her and fisted the ball into Mikayla Maguire who was to rattle the net with a good strike. 2-5 to 2-4 Belcoo now held the upper hand.
Derrygonnelly were awarded a penalty at the other end, Tara McAloon drove her effort over the bar to tie proceedings before Belcoo had a clinical spell in front of goal coming to half time. The visitors hit four points in a row in as many minutes. Sinead Barrett, Cara Gray, Sam Martin and Abbie McGovern all on target. Derrygonnelly pulled back into the game with a goal in the final attack of the half. Half Time score: Derrygonnelly 3-5 v 2-9 Belcoo.
Five minutes into the second half and the Harps found themselves ahead. Bronagh Smyth levelled the contest with a free before Aoibh Love landed a good point from play. Belcoo however worked their best move of the night to find the net. Sam Martin picked up Cairenn McGrath’s kickout, she fed Scarlett O’Connor who played a neat pass to Abbie McGovern on the right wing, Eve Barrett was off the shoulder and drove towards the goals, her 30yard solo run ended with the ball in the roof of the net. Belcoo now ahead 3-9 to 3-7.
Back came the Harps, Imogen Knight and Aoife Rasdale had the contest tired on 41minutes. Two minutes later the hosts were one up again as Aoibh Love kicked another good point from play. Belcoo replied with a Mikayla Maguire free on 43minutes.
The O’Rahilly’s kept creating good openings, they pushed two clear with scores from Eve Barrett and Sam Martin but Derrygonnelly battled back again, Bronagh Smyth and Lucy Leonard had the contest level at 3-12 a piece with just 4minutes to play.
Belcoo managed to claim their next kickout and get downfield where the ball stayed for the closing minutes of the contest. Sinead Barrett powered forward as she’d done numerous times over the hour, the ball was worked into Eve Barrett who was fouled 20metres from goal. Mikayla Maguire popped over the free while some patient play in the last minutes seen Scarlett O’Connor kick one of the score of the night from long range. Belcoo winners of an enthralling encounter by 2points.
Belcoo host Knockninny in Round 2 next Thursday, Derrygonnelly host Newtownbutler.
Team (15 a side) Cairenn McGrath, Ciara McGuinness, Siofra McAloon, Lily Mae McNulty, Ciara Parker, Rhianne McGuinness, Eimear Gray, Sinead Barrett (0-2), Cara Gray (0-2), Rachel Nolan, Sam Martin (0-2), Scarlett O’Connor (0-1), Abbie McGovern (0-1), Mikayla Maguire (2-3), Eve Barrett (1-3). Sub Megan Maguire.
