A strong wind was a factor in shaping the pattern of this derby Erne Cup two clash at the Kinawley ground. Belnaleck enjoyed the benefit of the elements in the opening half but they didn't really make a great deal of use of it and they were only four points in front by the time that the interval was reached.

This never looked like being a secure advantage and so it proved to be with Kinawley steadily whittling down the deficit as they stepped up their effort.

By the time that the three-quarter mark was reached, the teams were on level terms and once Kinawley had hit the front they were never to be headed.

However, it was always a tight contest and right to the finish the result could easily have swung back to Belnaleck.

After a bright opening to their league, Belnaleck have begun to wobble and this defeat was their third in six fixtures, so they need to get back quickly into a winning vein if they are to edge themselves back into the promotion frame.

Best players in their back division in this game were corner back Martin Baxter and centre half back Mark Lewisley with Dwayne McNulty having his moments in the middle of the park.

For Kinawley, their defensive stars were to be wing half backs, Mark Cornyn and Sean McManus while Gabriel McHugh was an industrious figure in centrefield.

Up front, the leading light for the winners was to be full forward Simon Corrigan, who contributed the bulk of his team's score tally.

Belnaleck's best spell of the hour was to be in the first half and in all they were to shoot five points; two each from Joseph Heavey and Dermot Lewisley, three of the scores coming from placed kicks, indication that the Kinawley back line had a firm grip on the Belnaleck attack.

With just one point scored in the first half, Kinawley had left themselves some leeway to make up on the changeover but they had a positive restart with Corrigan much to the fore and good support coming from Ciaran Melanophy at wing half forward.

A few quick points got them on a roll and the Belnaleck challenge gradually petered out.

Belnaleck 0-7 Kinawley 0-9 (JFL)

Written by the Fermanagh Herald