The Senior Men made a winning start to the 2022 League with a 2-13 to 1-14 victory over Irvinestown at MacNean Park on a dull Saturday evening. The O’Rahilly’s task was hampered early on when they were reduced to 14men within 5minutes however they would grind out a very good win, playing the last 8minutes with 13 players following a black card.
The opening 7 points were traded as Belcoo held a 0-4 to 0-3 lead midway through the half. Lawrence McKeown had the games opening point inside 10seconds as Christopher Leonard won the throw up and picked out the forward on the left wing, he swung the ball over his shoulder and between the posts. Ronan Ormsby had levelled from a free before Belcoo were reduced to 14men.
The O’Rahilly’s would kick the next point, Paul McGrath, Eoin Shiels and Daryl Kelly involved before Matthew McAloon fastened onto the ball 25yards from goal and kicked a fine point. Jack Largo Ellis did likewise from just inside the ‘D’ moments later at the other end before a neat one two between Ciaran Flaherty and Matthew McAloon seen the later kick a second good point from play.
Irvinestown’s Gary Maguire tied proceedings from a close range free kick but Belcoo edged in front again, James McGrath carried the ball through the middle and clipped a neat pass into Lawrence McKeown’s chest, McKeown took the ‘Mark’ and slotted the ball between the posts.
The resulting kickout was broken in midfield, Caolan Ward took up possession and threaded a lovely ball from the right channel through the Belcoo defence to send Gary Maguire in one on one, the experienced centre forward made no mistake tucking the ball past Gary Doherty. The visitors 1-3 to 0-4 to the good.
The O’Rahilly’s would level within 4minutes from two placed balls as Goalkeeper Gary Doherty stroked a 45 and Matthew McAloon clipped over a 21m free. The visitors replied to move two clear as Gary Maguire pointed from distance while Ronan Ormsby claimed a poor restart by Belcoo and returned the ball over the bar. 1-5 to 0-6 with 24minutes played.
Belcoo would finish the half on top. The home side netted their first goal, a slick move upfield seen Matthew McAloon shoot for goal, Ciaran Flaherty was directly in line with the shot and caught it before dispatching past a helpless keeper how’d dived to deny McAloon. A strong surge from Paul McGrath paved the way for Lawrence McKeown to angle over a fine score from the right wing while McAloon clipped over another simple free after Dara Flanagan had been upended. Half time Belcoo 1-8 v 1-5 Irvinestown.
The visitors would land the first score of the second half and it was an excellent curling effort from Gary Maguire but Belcoo pushed further ahead with Gary Doherty registering his second 45 of the day while Lawrence McKeown banged over another from play. Ronan Ormsby matched McKeown’s effort but Belcoo would soon hit their second goal to create some daylight.
James McGrath was fouled from a kickout and he quickly launched the ball into the full forward line, the bounce caught the Irvinestown full back, McKeown had read it, gathered and confidently sidestepped the keeper. Belcoo 2-10 to 1-7 ahead.
Caolan Ward began to influence the game a bit too much for Belcoo’s liking, he kicked three of his sides next four points, all well taken efforts from wing on the left wing. Josh Largo Ellis had accounted for the other while Ciaran Flaherty and Lawrence McKeown had pointed for Belcoo. 10mins to play, Belcoo 2-12 to 1-11 ahead.
Ronan Ormsby pointed a free before a Black Card left Belcoo two men down for the final 8minutes. The visitors were retaining the ball and trying to pick holes in the Belcoo defence which remained compact. Over the course of the next few minutes, Irvinestown missed two opportunities from play but as the game entered added time they had managed to get within one point, Gary Maguire had kicked two frees. 2-12 to 1-14.
Belcoo needed possession and from Gary Doherty’s kickout, captain James McGrath won a free gathering the ball. He played it down the left side to brother Paul who raced in along the endline, recycled to McKeown, who did the same to the supporting Dean McDermott, McDermott steadied down and fired over the last score of the game, the kickout drew the final whistle, Belcoo winners by 2points. A fine day’s work from the Senior men. They travel to Teemore on Sunday 8th May for a 1pm throw in.
Team: Gary Doherty (0-2), Michael McGourty, Gerard McHugh, Ryan McGovern, Dara Flanagan, Eoin Shiels, Dean McDermott (0-1), Paul McGrath, Christopher Leonard, Daryl Kelly, James McGrath, Matthew McAloon (0-4), Philip Leonard, Lawrence McKeown (1-5), Ciaran Flaherty (1-1). Subs Used: Josh Killilea.
