Belcoo 1-18 Tempo 0-10

Belcoo ensured they remained in the race for promotion from Division Two with a dominant 11-point win over Tempo.

It means that if results go their way on Friday they will be promoted alongside Irvinestown to the top flight.

Playing in very hot conditions, there was little between the sides in the opening exchanges before Belcoo began to get on top and opened up a five-point lead at the break.

Conor McNally got Tempo off the mark when he picked up a loose ball in the Belcoo defence before fisting over before Gary Doherty levelled from a ‘45 for the home side.

A good score off his left from Aidan Breen put Tempo in front again but Belcoo would hit the net on their next attack.

Eoin Shiels found Lawrence McKeown who in turn laid off Dean McDermott. His deft pass found Paul McGrath who rounded the keeper and scrambled the ball to the net, 1-01 to 0-02 after eight minutes.

Damien Kelly popped over to cut the Belcoo lead to a point before Oisin Murphy levelled the game.

A fine Cillian Murray score restored the Belcoo lead and this was furthered by a good score from centre-back Ryan Leonard after patient build-up.

Lorcan McStravick fired over for Tempo before Tiarnan Bogue levelled after Tempo turnover a Belcoo kick out to leave it all square at the water break, 1-03 to 0-06.

Belcoo would dominate the second quarter and outscored Tempo seven points to two up until the half.

Murray pointed a free from near the sideline, McKeown found space to fire over, McGrath converted a free, and Conor McAloon made it 1-07 to 0-06 before Breen got his second off the day to leave a goal between the sides.

Leonard got his second point of the game followed by McKeown and a Murray free finished Belcoo’s scoring for the half while Breen hit a free as it finished 1-10 to 0-08.

A Breen free put four points between the sides at the start of the second half but a well-worked move opened it up for Dean McDermott to point.

Belcoo keeper Doherty converted his second placed ball of the game shortly after followed by a McGrath free to make it 1-13 to 0-09.

A quick move then saw Belcoo get the ball from defence to attack and McAloon registered another score to leave eight in it at the second water break.

Tempo would register their final score of the game when play resumed from the boot of sub Oisin Jackson but it was cancelled out by McKeown who reacted quickest to a Murray free coming off the post.

A turnover as Tempo tried to break out of defence led to McDermott hitting a good score before McKeown again got out in front of his marker before finding space to point.

The scoring was rounded off when cornerback Michael McGourty found himself up the field to get on the end of a fine move as it ended 1-18 to 0-10.

Belcoo manager, Barry Hanrahan, was happy with his side’s response following the heavy defeat to Newtownbutler.

“The overall performance pleased me. We were coming off the back of a very flat performance the week before,” he said.

“Tempo are a well seasoned team and offered us a very measurable challenge.

“I was pleased with all aspects of our game. The boys played very well. Teemore up next. Let’s see what that game presents us with.”

While Belcoo host Teemore, Tempo will look to finish their league campaign with a win when they take on Lisnaskea.