LEITRIM MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RECORD IN FR. MANNING CUP

LEITRIM 3-13  SLIGO 2-16

Leitrim Under 16s maintained their unbeaten record in the 2023 Fr. Manning Cup with a hard fought draw against neighbours Sligo at Pairc Sean MacDiarmada earlier today.   In what turned out to be a high scoring encounter, Leitrim started the brighter of the 2 teams.   Joey McBrien (2), Oisin Conlon (2) and Ruairi O’Rourke had five Leitrim points on the scoreboard in answer to three from the Yeats County after 15 minutes.   Leitrim then put together a fast flowing move that culminated with Andrew Lee blasting the ball past the helpless Sligo goalkeeper to give Leitrim a five point cushion.

Sligo were then awarded a penalty which struck the butt of the Leitrim post before they hit a purple patch adding 2-2 without reply over the next five minutes. Josh Sheridan, the Leitrim netminder, was particularly unlucky with the 2nd effort, having initially made a wonderful save before the rebound was dispatched. Joey McBrien added to Leitrim’s tally with a solitary Sligo reply as they entered the final moments of the first half. The last action of the half turned out to be vital for Leitrim as Ruairi O’Rourke pounced on a loose ball and dispatched the ball to the net to leave the minimum between the sides with Sligo leading 2-7 to 2-6 at half time.

The 2nd half was a real topsy-turvy affair with Leitrim regaining the lead through early Senan Bohan and Cormac Moran points. Sligo responded with 3 points of their own to restore a 2 point advantage. Over the next 10 minutes Leitrim added points from Joey McBrien (2) and Peter Moran in reply to 4 efforts from Sligo. With time running out Leitrim continued to press and they will rue some costly misses but Joey McBrien reduced the gap before Sligo restored their 3 point lead. Peter Moran then showed some neat footwork as he danced his past 3 Sligo defenders and slotted the ball past the Sligo goalkeeper to set up a grandstand finish.

Sligo went back into the lead before Joey McBrien responded for Leitrim. The game ended with the home team pressing for a winner but ultimately coming up short as 3 chances went a begging. This was a good performance from an Under 16 squad minus a number of players that were on duty with the Under 17s the previous evening. They will be especially happy with their battling qualities as they fought to the bitter end for loose ball which was the foundation for getting back into the game. This result leaves Leitrim sitting unbeaten with 3 points on top of the table from 2 games played. Leitrim’s final game of the group stages is away to Longford at the end of May.

LEITRIM: Josh Sheridan; Kevin Faughnan; Killian Mulvey; James Hughes; Peter Moran (1-1); Luke Farrell; Cormac Moran (0-1); Luke Fitzsimons; Tadhg Regan; Senan Bohan (0-1); Ruairi O’Rourke (1-2); Gavin Gallagher; Oisin Conlon (0-2); Andrew Lee (1-0); Joey McBrien (0-6). Subs: Bobby Hanrahan, Cillian Downes, Aodh Gavin, Oran Dougan

WINNING START FOR UNDER 15s IN THE HUMPHREY KELLEGHER CUP

LEITRIM 2-12  LOUTH 1-2

The Leitrim Under 15s began their 2023 Humphrey Kellegher Cup campaign in fine style with a dominant display over Louth earlier today in Pairc Sean MacDiarmada. Leitrim came flying out of the blocks as they completely dominated Louth from pillar to post. Leitrim added early points through Jack Attard (2), Conor Reynolds and Louis Quinn to give Leitrim an early 4 point advantage after 15 minutes. 2 wonderful long range Jack Moolick points were complemented by another Jack Attard point to complete the Leitrim scoring in the first half. The highlight of the first half had to be the workrate of these Leitrim youngsters as they kept Louth at bay for the duration of the first half. Half time score: Leitrim 0-7 Louth 0-0.

Leitrim continued in the same manner in the second half. An early point from Caelan Newton was matched by Louth’s first score of the game. Two wonderful passes from Ronan Fox and Conor Reynolds created an opportunity for Senan McGowan as he coolly stepped around the last defender and dinked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Louth responded with a fine individual goal and their final score of the game soon followed. Leitrim added points from Jack Moolick and Caelan Newton before a powerful Jack Moolick shot found it’s way to the Louth net. Manorhamilton duo Ronan Fox and Jack Attard rounded off Leitrim’s scoring as they ran out easy winners.

There will be tougher games ahead for these youngsters but if they continue to bring the wonderful attitude and workrate that was in evidence today, they will be a match for any team.

LEITRIM: Rhionn Gallagher; Shane Mayock; Ronan Connolly; Charlie Slevin; Keelan McGurren; Rian Costello; Cillian McWeeney; Jack Moolick (1-3); Thomas Gunn; Louis Quinn (0-1); Ronan Fox (0-1); Karl Gethins; Senan McGowan (1-0); Jack Attard (0-4); Conor Reynolds (0-1). Subs: Caelan Newton (0-2); Ultan McNulty; Emmet Faughnan; Darragh McBrien