Irvinestown 1-18 Teemore 2-07 Irvinestown cruised to a comfortable win over a Teemore side who are really struggling for some form at the minute. The win moves Irvinestown up to fifth place in the table while Teemore are rooted to the bottom on three points along with Belcoo.

The home side were well in control throughout and were ten points to the good at the break on a score of 1-12 to 1-02. Teemore improved slightly in the second half but in truth the outcome was never in doubt as Irvinestown were better all over the pitch.

“We played very well in the first half and that was a big thing for us. We got a good start and then got the goal and that gave us a cushion and at half time we had that big lead,” Irvinestown manager Shane Goan explained after the game.

“Teemore threw everything at us in the second half as we knew they would but we were able to pick off points when we needed them and in the end it was a really good win for us.”

Teemore boss Tommy Clarke wasn’t looking for any excuses after the game; “Irvinestown were just hungrier. They were first to the ball everywhere and we just didn’t perform. It hasn’t been a good few weeks for us,” Clarke explained before adding; “We just have to try and improve and try and pick up points. It’s just about turning things around at this stage.”

Irvinestown were quick on to the front foot and when James Duffy crashed the ball to the net to put his side eight points up the game was effectively over. Before that Duffy and Ronan Ormsby had shared the point scoring while Gary Maguire also contributed to the white flag raising in the first half. Teemore meanwhile had three scores in that first half with Jason McCaffrey, who was Teemore’s best player throughout, hitting the net.

After the break Liam Martin contributed the bulk of Teemore’s scores shooting 1-03 with John Fitzpatrick also adding his name to the scoresheet.

For the winners Stephen Sheridan joined the scoring in the second half with a number of excellent efforts while Duffy continued his good form with a number of neat points. Duffy’s ball winning and direct running was a problem throughout for the Teemore defence.

Paul Leonard was impressive for Irvinestown at centre half back with Kevin O’Donnell also contributing at wing half back. This week Irvinestown are home to Devenish in a game Goan believes will go right down to the wire; “It is normally close when we meet and they got the better of us by a point at the start of the year so I’m expecting something similar again.”

For a Teemore side craving some points on the board things don’t get any easier with fixtures against Ederney and Derrygonnelly to come in their next two games. Although Clarke refuses to use injuries as an excuse for his side’s current woes there is no doubt that they are a contributing factor. Four first team players are currently out of action including Eoin McManus, who contributes heavily to the scoreboard on a regular basis.

“The games this week will be a challenge, no doubt about that. But we just have to get the head down and work hard,” Clarke concluded.