Irvinestown Manager Francie Ward was delighted to pick up silverware in his first year in charge of his home club as they picked up the Division Two league title following an enthralling battle with Belcoo.

“For a spectacle for Fermanagh Division Two football, it was a really open game and it was great to see an open game,” he said.

“It was fantastic to see an open game where two teams went at each other. Some of the scoring from 40 yards was as good as you are going to get.”

Ward said his players “weathered the storm” as a strong opening to the second half saw Belcoo turn a two-point deficit into a five-point lead.

“The first half, we kind of sparred with each other and tried to figure each other out. Belcoo got their boys gathered up at half time and pushed on.

“Our boys weathered the storm. It’s something we have tried to bring in this year – to try and finish the game stronger.

Crucial time

“We just seemed to get that last 12 or 13 minutes where we got a spell put together and we got a goal at a crucial time.”

A couple of tactical changes from Ward and his management team were crucial in this period as he felt it gave them another dynamic to their play to get back into the game.

“The management, myself and Dwayne [Carleton], we took a chance. We took a back off and put a forward on just to see if we could get something out of it, and it paid off on the day.

“We brought on Caolan Ward and he gave Belcoo a different thought process in the forward line because he is a different kind of player, even to Jack [Largo-Elis] and Ronan [Ormsby], and all of a sudden Belcoo had to go with two men in their full back line.

‘Playing skills’

“When Ronan came out the field, with his ball playing skills, he was able to get on the ball a bit more and create a wee bit more around that half forward line.”

The goal was to prove the difference between the sides on the day to give Irvinestown their first silverware of the season as they now plan for the Intermediate Championship.

“First year in the job, it’s lovely to pick up a bit of silverware.

“It’s nice as Manager, but when you’re an Irvinestown man picking up silverware with your own club, knowing the work that goes on behind the scenes, it’s fantastic.”

Ward’s opposite number, Barry Hanrahan, felt his team never recovered from the Irvinestown goal midway through the second half at a time when Belcoo looked in control of the game.

“The feeling in the dressing room afterwards was it was one that got away.

“We struggled to get going in the first half, but we got to grips with them early in the second half.

“We conceded what can only be described as a scrappy goal from a high ball in. That sucker punched us and we never really recovered from it. It gave them the momentum and energy they needed to see the game out.”

While being disappointed on the result, Hanrahan reflected on the league campaign and believes the team are well equipped going into the championship.

“It’s been a good league campaign overall. The boys deserve their promotion.

“We’re going into the championship with confidence extremely high. We are happy with our squad.

“Every man is committed to delivering for the club.”