Belturbet secure crucial victory at home to Shercock
July 29, 2015
ACFL Division 2 League
Belturbet 1-14
Shercock 0-8
Rory O'Moore Park
Belturbet moved above Shercock into the play-off position in the league with a nine point win in appalling weather conditions in Rory O'Moore Park on Sunday last.
The relentless driving rain made conditions very difficult for both teams, with underfoot conditions, very slippery. Shercock hit the front in the fifth minute of the first half, courtesy of a Declan McIntyre free, after Niall Clerkin had been fouled. Danny Anscombe launched a massive kickout to the middle of the field to Kevin McConnell, who worked the ball into Donal McDonald in space who sneaked a fine point, just inside the post a minute later. Niall Clerkin and John McEnroe linked up with Ryan Clerkin profiting from their good work to clip over a nice point.
Enda Henry thumped over a marvellous point from the left hand wing, in the ninth minute after patient Belturbet build up play to tie the game, at 0-2 apiece. Declan McIntyre edged Shercock back in front with 11 minutes on the clock and this signalled the start of a profitable mini spell of scoring for the visitors. Niall Clerkin scored a point from play in the 13th minute and added a free in the 16th minute to leave the visitors with a 0-5 to 0-2 cushion.
Belturbet began to play some excellent football, from the minute Jason O'Reilly converted a free in the 19th minute, until the half time whistle. Henry was successful from a dead ball in the 24th minute to trim Shercock's lead down to 0-5 to 0-4. Niall Lawlor scored a terrific point in the 28th minute to draw the sides level for the second time in the match.
The Rorys had all the momentum and this stage and Niall O'Reilly struck over a sweetly taken point to move the hosts into the lead for the first time in the 30th minute. Belturbet captain Brendan Fitzpatrick then curled over a minute later to move his side 0-7 to 0-5 ahead. Niall O'Reilly dissected the uprights with another fine point, as the Rorys reeled off their sixth point without reply, in an excellent scoring spell. Niall Clerkin clipped over a close range free, with the last kick of the first half to leave the scoreline 0-8 to 0-6, in the home side's favour at half time.
Belturbet made a dream start to the second half, with Eoin McGuigan and Brendan Fitzpatrick combining to feed Jason O'Reilly four minutes in, who fisted to the back of Colin Courtney's net from close range, to move the Rorys into a five point lead. Ryan Clerkin got a badly needed point for the away side, with a point from play, to reduce his side's deficit to four points. Niall Clerkin pointed from a free to leave a goal separating the sides with 38 minutes gone.
Shercock would fail to score for the remainder of the match, as Belturbet gained absolute control of the contest with tenacious tackling and a huge hunger all over the field, causing numerous errors and turnovers from the visitors. Niall O'Reilly kicked his third point from play and Enda Henry converted a free for Belturbet to move them 1-10 to 0-8 ahead. Belturbet were adapting to the shocking weather conditions better, with their defence limiting Shercock to very little chances and the attack were being very clinical when the ball was worked up to them. Jason O'Reilly curled over a free and Enda Henry converted from play after his original free had come back into this path to leave the Rorys well in control at 1-12 to 0-8 entering the final ten minutes of the match. Brendan Fitzpatrick floated over a peach of a point from play and Shercock were dealt a blow when Centre Back Colin Clerkin was black carded for a cynical foul. Enda Henry shot over his fifth point from a free to move the hosts into a nine point lead and seal a well deserved and extremely efficient victory.
Belturbet turned in arguably their best performance of the year with an excellent all round team display. All units of the team worked tirelessly with Danny Anscombe and his six backs of John, Peter, Shane, Mark, Kevin and Conal limiting the Shercock attack to very few chances with the visitors only managing four points from play over the course of the hour plus of football. Enda Henry and Eoin McGuigan drove forward relentlessly at the Shercock attack contributing hugely to both the defensive and attacking lines. The forward line also impressed with the half forward line of Donal McDonald, Cian Vaughan and Niall O'Reilly impressing with some wonderful point taking and tireless working at both ends of the field. The full forward line of Niall Lawlor, Brendan Fitzpatrick and Jason O'Reilly also did a lot of damage combining for 1-5 between the three of them with constant running and ferocious tackling that pinned the Shercock defenders back on several occasions. The Rorys have now put themselves in pole position to secure a play off berth having moved into third place in the league table with a final round game away to Munterconnacht to follow later in the year.
Belturbet: Danny Anscombe, John Cahill, Peter Shannon, Shane Fitzpatrick, Conal McGinley, Kevin McConnell, Mark Lawlor, Enda Henry(0-5 3f), Eoin McGuigan, Cian Vaughan, Niall O'Reilly(0-3), Donal McDonald(0-1), Niall Lawlor(0-1), Brendan Fitzpatrick(C)(0-2), Jason O'Reilly(1-2 2f). Subs Introduced: Johnny Higgins, Damien O'Reilly, Barry O'Reilly, Daniel Shannon.
Shercock: Colin Courtney, Shane Clarke, Liam Og O'Reilly, Dean O'Reilly, Damien McIntyre, Colin Clerkin, Philip Clerkin, Brian Sankey, Micheal McEneaney, Daniel Clarke, Declan McIntyre(0-2 1f), Ryan Clerkin(0-2), John McEnroe, Niall Clerkin(0-4 3f), Shane McPhillips.
Subs: Stephen Donnery, Paddy McMahon, Lee Clarke.
Referee: Ollie Donohoe.
