Derrygonnelly 2-9 Belnaleck 1-6

 

Derrygonnelly's push to lift the New York Cup for a fifth successive year remains on course after they saw off Belnaleck at the second attempt at Brewster Park tonight.

The sides played out a draw last week but a Kevin Cassidy goal midway through the first half gave the Harps a lead in the replay they were never to relinquish.

And when Shane McGullion added a rather fortuitous goal seven minutes into the second half it gave the holders a comfortable cushion.

Darragh McGurn did pull a late goal back for Belnaleck but in the end Derrygonnelly deservingly ran out six point victors.

A close opening period saw the sides share the first six points of the game with Kevin Cassidy, Stephen McGullion and Declan Cassidy on target for Derrygonnelly while Garvan Quigley and McGurn (2) landed scores for Belnaleck.

The key score of the half though arrived after 17 minutes as Ryan Jones slipped in Cassidy and he shot low to the corner of the net.

Bryan Owens and Garvan Jones then exchanged points but at the break Derrygonnelly led 1-4 to 0-4.

A Dwayne McNulty point on the restart cut the gap back to two points but this was as good as it got for Belnaleck as Conall Jones and Declan Cassidy pushed Derrygonnelly four clear before Shane McGullion then got his goal. Belnaleck failed to clear their lines and the ball defleted off McGullion and rolled into the net to make it 2-6 to 0-5.

McGurn hit back with a free for the Art McMurroughs but Kevin Cassidy and Conall Jones answered for Derrygonnelly as they stretched their advantage to eight.

Belnaleck were given a glimmer of hope when McGurn punched the net from a quick Dermot Lewsley free with three minutes remaining but the Harps saw out the remainder of the contest and with Eamon McHugh accounting for the final score of the game they finished up 2-9 to 1-6 winners.