Belnaleck 0-18 Derrygonnelly 1-11

Belnaleck got the Nigel Seaney reign off to a winning start as they secured a four point victory over Derrygonnelly Harps on Sunday.

A better attacking efficiency was key for Belnaleck in a well contested affair which both sides will take plenty of positives from.

Both sides were without their county men but there was still no shortage of good football on show in an entertaining clash.

Belnaleck enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the first half with Conor McAuley a strong presence in the middle of the park while Garvan Quigley and Ciaran McBrien were a threat up front for the Art McMurroughs.

Quigley, McBrien and Bryan Owens all landed points for the home side in the first half while Mickey Jones, Stephen Gilroy and a couple of Conor McGovern frees accounted for the Derrygonnelly scores in the first period as Belnaleck went in at the break with a 0-07 to 0-04 lead.

Attacking threat

The Harps were more adventurous in the second half as they began to create more of an attacking threat and indeed they had three good goals chances that they failed to convert before Bryan McKenna did find the net for the Harps with a break from the half back line.

At the other end Quigley and McBrien continued to supply scores for Belnaleck to keep their noses in front while Conor McGovern, Gilroy, Leigh Jones and Jarlath Flanagan registered for Derrygonnelly.

The McKenna goal brought Derrygonnelly back to within two points but Belnaleck were not to be denied and they accounted for the last two points of the contest to run out 0-18 to 1-11 winners.

Best on the day for Belnaleck were Fergal Keenan at full back and McAuley in the middle of the park while Quigley impressed in attack.

For Derrygonnelly, Ronan McGovern put in a good shift at midfield while Leigh Jones and Aaron Jones also caught the eye.