Fr. Manning Cup Report

Leitrim began their 2023 Under 16 campaign with a comfortable win over Clare at a windswept Clooneylohan on Saturday.  Playing against a strong breeze in the first half, Leitrim dominated the early exchanges.   This early Leitrim pressure yielded goals from Joey McBrien and Oisin Conlon before Joey McBrien converted a 20 metre free to leave Leitrim 7 points ahead after 12 minutes.   Clare enjoyed a purple patch, tagging on 4 points in row to reduce the margin.   Leitrim put together a wonderful move beginning with a Peter Moran interception, involving 5 further players and culminating with a cool finish by Andrew Lee to the Clare net.   The first half ended with Clare scoring 1-2 to leave the minimum between the sides at half time on a scoreline of Clare 1-6 Leitrim 3-1.

Leitrim emptied their bench, making 4 changes at half time.   The 2nd half proved to be a dominant one for Leitrim as they added a further 15 points (all from play).  The clinical nature of the 2nd half performance was highlighted by some wonderful long range shooting, some excellent defending and a point blank save by Josh Sheridan on the one occasion that Clare managed to penetrate the Leitrim back line.   On a day when all facets of Leitrim’s play went well, it would be unfair to single out any one player.   In general, this was a comprehensive team performance that will have to replicated as the Fr. Manning Cup progresses.   The current champions, Sligo, are up next for Leitrim in May.

LEITRIM (Team and Scorers):

Josh Sheridan; Aodh Gavin; Niall Stenson; James Hughes; Peter Moran (0-2); Luke Farrell; Bobby Hanrahan; Luke Fitzsimons; Tadhg Regan (0-1); Sean Carolan-Morris (0-3); Cillian Downes (0-2); Gavin Gallagher(0-2); Joey McBrien (1-1); Andrew Lee (1-0); Oisin Conlon (1-4). SUBS: Senan Bohan (0-1) for Joey McBrien; Kyle Russell for Niall Stenson; Kevin Faughnan for James Hughes; Oran Dougan for Aodh Gavin (all half time); Aodh Gavin for Sean Carolan-Morris and James Hughes for Gavin Gallagher (both 48 mins)