High fives for Bellurgan

COMPETITION specialists Bellurgan comfortably advanced to the last 16 of the Tully bookmakers cup , playing some dazzling football as they disposed of Johnstown on Sunday morning at Flynn Park.

With the visitors playing two divisions below them, but admittedly strongly challenging for their divisional crown with a 100 per cent start to their campaign with three wins from as many games, the Peninsula outfit were expected to progress.

However, they did it in a style that reflects the growing con- fidence of a side on a nice run of results, during which they are unbeaten, with young players who have been introduced quickly making an impact and fitting in well.

Having featured in four of the last five finals of the competition, losing the last two, they are naturally hoping it will be third time lucky in this campaign. If they can maintain the form shown in this tie, they will be good bet.

They opened a one nil led at the break, with a brilliant curling delivery by Tadhg O’Connor from the right setting up Simon O’Shaughnessy from about nine yards to put Bellugan ahead. The score set the standard for the quality of the winners’ goals. Ace scorer Ciaran Sheelan put his name to their second with a trademark composed finish, taking a great through pass and checked back to knock it into the bottom of the net.

He then won a penalty which Alan Connor put away. Then a great run by Cian McDonald to the by-line paved the way for Dermot Treanor to shoot to the net with his left foot.

The winners’ final goal probably reflected best the quality of their play, with a lovely

slick passing movement leading to substitute Sean Maguire making it five nil.

BELLURGAN: Robert Arthur, Simon O’Shaughnessy, Alan Connor(Chris Lawson) , Mark Murphy (Joe Connor), Owen Traynor, Owen Armstrong, Stephen Finnegan, Tadhg O’Connor (Cian McDonald), Dermot Treanor (Patrick Lynch), Ciaran Sheelan, Saheed Ogunfuworo (Sean Maguire).