Leitrim reach Connacht Football Semi Final

A second-half Conor Beirne goal gave Leitrim their first Connacht Championship win since 2008 after a fiery affair that saw three men sent-off in Markievicz Park.

Leitrim led 0-8 to 0-5 at the break and while substitute Mark Breheny triggered a short-lived Sligo comeback, 1-01 from Beirne in two minutes sealed the win for Leitrim as Brian Curran, Eamonn OHara and Emlyn Mulligan were all sent-off.

With seven debutants taking to the field for Leitrim a good start was imperative. And they got it when Paul Brennan pointed after less than a minute to give Mickey Morans side the lead.

Emlyn Mulligan doubled their lead two minutes later with a free from the left after James Glancy was fouled by Neil Ewing.

But Leitrim, who were playing into the teeth of a strong wind,
continued to dominate and they soon stretched their lead.

Wing-back Wayne McKeon drilled over a terrific score from the left wing after 11 minutes, which was quickly followed by en even better one from Tomas Beirne.

Adrian Marren, the most impressive forward for Sligo, stopped the rot with a great score from the right wing, but further points from Glancy and Conor Beirne gave them a four-point advantage after 23 minutes.

Marren hit back for Sligo before he was presented with a great goal chance on the half-hour mark. However, after collecting a break down from OHara he contrived to drill the ball over the bar to make it 0-6 to 0-4.

But an injury-time point from Tony Taylor brought Sligo back to an
undeserved 0-8 to 0-5 deficit at the break.

Leitrims dominance in the first half saw Walsh introduce both Sean Davey and Mark Breheny before the break and both men made a huge impact after their introduction.

And it was Breheny, who has been suffering with a hamstring injury, who kick-started the Sligo comeback with two quick points.

Marren pointed a free to draw Sligo level in the 16th minute, but
Conor Beirne hit back with a driving point from distance.

And just over a minute later he struck the decisive blow when he
claimed James Glancys arrowed pass and fired past Philip Greene to make it 1-9 to 0-8.

Stephen Coen immediately replied for Sligo to leave the deficit at
just a goal, but Leitrim held on for a memorable win.

scorers:
Leitrim: C Beirne (1-3, 1f); E Mulligan (0-2fs); W McKeon (0-1); T Beirne (0-1); P Brennan (0-1); A Croal (0-1); J Glancy (0-1).

Sligo: A Marren (0-4, 2fs); M Breheny (0-2, 1f); T Taylor (0-1); F
Quinn (0-1); S Coen (0-1); D Maye (0-1)

Sligo: P Greene; C Harrison, R Donovan, N Ewing; P McGovern, B Curran, D Rooney; S Gilmartin, T Taylor; A Costello, E OHara, F Quinn; S Coen, K Sweeney, A Marren.

Subs: S Davey for Gilmartin, 28; M Breheny for Sweeney, 35; D Maye for Quinn, 62; B Egan for ~Costello, 66; K Cawley for Breheny, 70.

Leitrim: C McCrann; D Reynolds, R Gallagher, P Maguire; B Prior, G
Reynolds, W McKeon; T Beirne, D Lowe; P Brennan, E Mulligan, R Lowe; A Croal, C Beirne, J Glancy.

Subs: B McDonald for Brennan, 55; D Sweeney for Lowe, 56.

 

 

23-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Player Profiles

Player Profiles for the current Leitrim Senior team are now available on the website.  

Click on the Player Profiles link in the Interactive Feed on the left hand column of the home page.

 

Check our boys out!

 

 

19-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Moran- The boys are going to have to roll up their sleeves

Leitrim Manager Mickey Moran says his team know exactly the challenge theyre up against this Sunday when they meet Sligo at Markievicz Park in their Connacht SFC opener.

Morans men make the short trip to the Sligo town venue, where the hosts will be hoping to avenge their defeat of 2005 when the two sides last met, and the Derry native knows that the visitors will have to dig deep if they are to cause another upset.

"It is going to be a tough game, going to Markievicz. Sligo are always there. They have a very mature panel, they might look young and athletic and some of them are young but they have lads who have been about for a while," said Moran.

"Under Kevin (Walsh), they have come on leaps and bounds. Theyve move up the leagues in terms of promotion, although they were very unlucky this year with a few results, and they were in a Connacht final last year but they have been tipping about there up with Mayo and Galway.

"Roscommon came in there with a surge last year and were maybe deserving winners but maybe Sligo, on the day, it just didnt go for them. Sligo have been there, theyve more experience than us. Theyve been in Croke Park, theyve been in league finals so we know what were up against."

He added: "The boys are going to have to roll up the sleeves and one by one, they are going to have to take on Sligo and win that battle. After that, the team ethic will come into it and hopefully the performance will be there."

 

 

19-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Sligo team to play Leitrim

Sligo Team v Leitrim

Connacht Senior Football Championship

Sunday 22nd May 2011

 1 Philip Greene Naomh Eoin

 2 Charles  Harrison Naomh Eoin 

 3 Ross  Donovan Cláirsigh an Oirthear  

 4 Neil Ewing Droim Cliabh/Ros Ceite 

 5 Paul  McGovern Cláirsigh an Oirthear 

 6 Brian  Curran Tobar an Choir 

 7 David  Rooney Naomh Eoin 

 8 StephenÓgilmartin Tobar an Choire 

 9 Tony  Taylor Cláirsigh an Oirthear 

 10 Alan  Costello Cuil Irra/Leathros 

 11 Eamonn  O’Hara Tuairloistreain 

 12 Francis Quinn  

 13 Stephen Coen Naomh Mhuire 

 14 Kenneth Sweeney  

 15 Adrian Marren Curraigh 

 

 16 Jason Farrell  

 17 Brian Kennedy Tuairloistreain 

 18 Keelan  Cawley Cuil Irra/Leathros 

 19 Mark Quinn  

 20 Noel McGuire Iascaigh 

 21 Eugene  Mullen Iascaigh 

 22 Sean Davey Curraigh 

 23 Brendan Egan Tuairloistreain 

 24 David Maye Curraigh 

 25 Mark Breheny Naomh Mhuire 

 26 Alan Taaffe Naomh Miceal


 

 

19-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

News from the Sligo camp

Sligo team named for Connacht opener

There are two debutantes on the Sligo team to face Leitrim in the Connacht Football Championship at Markeivicz Park on Sunday.

David Rooney from the St Johns Club comes in at left-half-back, while Francis Quinn of Shamrock Gaels will line out at left-half- forward

Ace attacker Mark Breheny is named on the bench.

Sligo team v Leitrim in Connacht Senior Football Championship at Markievicz Park on Sunday, 22 May at 3.30pm:

1 P Greene, 2 Charlie Harrison, 3 Ross Donovan, 4 Neil Ewing, 5 Paul McGovern, 6 Brian Curran, 7 David Rooney, 8 StephenÓgilmartin, 9 Tony Taylor, 10 Alan Costello, 11 Eamonn OHara, 12 Francis Quinn, 13 Stephen Coen, 14 Kenneth Sweeney, 15 Adrian Marren 

 

 

19-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Emlyn finally resumes inter-county duty

Having missed two entire championship seasons, Leitrims Emlyn Mulligan cant wait to face Sligo.

The young Melvin Gaels attacker was a revelation in his debut Connacht SFC year but unfortunately missed the 2009 and 2010 summer seasons after twice doing his cruciate.

However, Mulligan will finally resume his intercounty championship career when Leitrim travel to Markievicz Park for an opening-round derby clash with Sligo on Sunday.

"To be honest, it is just good to be involved at this time of the year, having missed all of the last two championship campaigns," he says.

"The last championship game I played was against Galway in 2008, so hopefully I can do myself justice on Sunday.

"We beat New York in the first game that year but it was all new to be at that stage. I was only 20 and I think I have a lot more to offer now.

"The sharpness has slowly come back to me. It is a great feeling to get through every training session without breaking down. Just walking off the pitch is great."

 

 

19-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim team to play Sligo

LEITRIM TEAM TO PLAY SLIGO

IN THE CONNACHT FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

This Sunday (22nd May, 2011) at 3.30 pm in Markievicz Park, Sligo.

Mickey Moran has named the 26 man panel to face Sligo in the Connacht Football Championship Quarter Final.

Seven players make their senior championship debuts. RonanÓgallagher, Paddy Maguire, Daniel Lowe, Paul Brennan, Robert Lowe, Adrian Croal and Conor Beirne.

Two sets of brothers – Daniel and Robert Lowe from St Marys and Tomas and Conor Beirne from Eslin make the starting 15.

James Glancy, from the Glencar/Manorhamilton Club, captains the side from corner forward. 

 

Liatroim

Cathal McCrann   –  Gortletteragh
Dermot Reynolds   –  Annaduff
RonanÓgallagher   –  Mohill
Paddy Maguire   –  Glencar/Manorhamilton
Barry Prior   –  Aughawillan
Gary Reynolds   –  Carrigallen
Wayne McKeon   –  Ballinamore Sean OHeslins
Tomás Beirne   –  Eslin
Daniel Lowe   –  St Marys
Paul Brennan   –  Melvin Gaels
Emlyn Mulligan   –  Melvin Gaels
Robert Lowe   –  St Marys
Adrian Croal   –  Glencar/Manorhamilton
Conor Beirne   –  Eslin
James Glancy (Capt)   –   Glencar/Manorhamilton

 

Philip Farrelly   –  Ballinamore Sean OHeslins
Barry McWeeney   –  Aughnasheelin
Daniel Beck   –  Mohill
James Glancy   –  St Marys
John McKeon   –  Drumreilly
Darren Sweeney   –  Glencar/Manorhamilton
Brian McDonald   –  Glencar/Manorhamilton
Conor Kelly   –  St Patricks Dromahair
Colm Clarke   –  Drumkeerin
Conor Sheridan   –  Melvin Gaels
Fergal Clancy   –   Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher 

BEST OF LUCK TO THE TEAM AND MAnÓgEMENT.

 

 

 

 

18-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Mickey Moran confident young guns can step up

Moran confident young guns can step up

Leitrim – Can expect their supporters to be in full voice at Markievicz Park

By Rory Houston – @RTESundayGame

Leitrim Manager Mickey Moran has praised the attitude and commitment of his young team ahead of the Connacht Senior Football match with Sligo in Markievicz Park on Sunday.

Leitrim make the trip to Sligo with little expectation on their shoulders, with Moran naming seven Championship debuntants for the clash with the Yeatsmen.

There has been signs in the league campaign and in recent challenge matches that the young side could have what it takes to pose a serious threat to Kevin Walshs men.

Moran has acknowledged that the hard work has been done by the Leitrim players.

It remains to be seen what happens on Sunday but the young lads have worked very hard all year. We had a big natural turnover at the end of last year from the previous year.

We lost about four Championship forwards all to emigration and work commitments. Weve got lots on young players and their enthusiasm and spirit and attitude has been tremendous.

But you dont know until Championship day how they will cope with the pressure. Im quite confident that they will.

Leitrim finished third from bottom in the Allianz League Division 4, awarding a walkover to London in the final game as it was a dead-rubber. After some encouraging performances in the closing stages of the campaign, Moran feels his side are closing to finding the winning touch.

A lot of the media just look at the figures in the table and we were just above Kilkenny and London. We conceded the points to London which I wasnt happy with myself but that is the way it panned out.

The last couple of performances were quite good – the only thing missing was that killer punch. We have worked on that and hopefully we see it on Sunday.

Emlyn Mulligan has been handed a starting role on Sunday after two injury-hit years for the county. An expert free-taker, he will provide a huge boost to the Leitrim side and Moran hopes Mulligan will set about making up for lost time, starting in Markievicz Park.

Emlyn is a very, very talented footballer. He has two bad years in terms of injury. He has worked very hard to recover from the cruciate ligament injuries and it is a lonely cause rehabilitating such an injury. He really has applied himself to it.

He knows himself he has missed a couple of years of football and he doesnt want that to happen again. He is in very, very good shape and has built himself up well.

We have a lot of young lads who have been stepping up to the mark. We have had to do a lot of coaching and the lads have been really attentive and applied themselves.

A semi-final meeting with Roscommon is the prize for the winners of Sundays clash. Sligo will be expected to advance to a date with the Rossies but the Leitrim Manager still has his eyes on an upset, hoping to reward the hard work done by all connected with the countys footballers.

There is a great spirit. It has been tough times as there always is in Leitrim because of turnover and lack of resources but the board and the backroom team have been fantastic.

It is all to do with players and they have been wonderful to work with. I just hope they put in a performance now.

The supporters in Leitrim have been through a lot of lean times but they are marvellous people in terms of their pride and commitment to the team and their support is absolutely phenomenal.

 

 

18-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Connacht Championship Preview – Sligo v Leitrim

A Step into the Unknown

Previewing Sunday’€’s Connacht Championship meeting of Leitrim and Sligo is taking a step into the unknown.

When teams meet in any championship game there is usually a trawl back through the records and statistics to previous clashes over the decades to check on how they fared. So many wins, losses and draws for each side since the birth of the GAA. As if what happened around 1890 could have a bearing on what will happen now or in the future. The Leitrim and Sligo players will Scórcely put much store on the match results in the days when their grandfathers cycled to Ballymote or the Showgrounds in Carrick, or even when their parents parked their Ford Cortinas or Morris Minors on the old N4 near Markievich or Páirc Seán.

What matters to the players is now!

Indeed, if they were to look at all the recent forecasts from the GAA experts, neither side would put too much effort into Sunday’€’s game, for the result appears to matter little. The Connacht title is sewn up between Roscommon, Mayo and Galway. Leitrim and Sligo are looked upon as token opposition for the big three, with the losers given little chance in the Qualifiers, unless they get a handy draw.

It is likely that Mickey Moran, Kevin Walsh and their management teams will have something to say about that when they’€’re in the huddle with the players on Sunday.

Recent form can be a barometer of sorts, but then the counties operated in different divisions in the Allianz League, with both teams having regrets about particular matches that would have altered their fortunes. A few more scores would have made all the difference in their promotion and relegation shake-up.

Every score will matter on Sunday in what should be a close call either way. We don’€’t need many fingers to total the Leitrim and Sligo Nestor Cup successes, while both counties could write volumes about near misses and hard luck stories.

Leitrim desperately need a championship victory, while Sligo will want to take the first steps of atonement for missing out last year, when they were odds-on favourites in the Connacht Final having dismissed both Galway and Mayo. They appeared to have committed the cardinal error of taking Roscommon for granted. It can be difficult for the lesser lights like Sunday’€’s opponents to operate in a winning mode, they need to develop the brashness and cockiness of the bigger guns.

While memories of the displays of Packie McGarty, Cathal Flynn, Nace O’€’Dowd and Mickey Kearins will be part and parcel of Sunday, what will really matter is how Mossie Beirne, Adrian Croal, Charlie Harrison, David Kelly and all the others perform.

The current crop of players will want to make their own history.

 

 

 

16-May-11 by Tommy Moran – Connacht PRO

Connacht Football Championship Quarter Final

The Leitrim team to play Sligo in the quarter final of the Connacht Football Championship will be released on this website on Wednesday morning 18/5/11.

Leitrim travel to Markievicz Park on Sunday next 22nd May to take on the home side.  Throw in 3.30 pm. A Leitrim versus Sligo U-16 Development Squad match will be the curtain raiser to the Senior Championship match. The U16 match will commence at 1.30pm.

 

 

 

16-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO

Ticketing Information Sligo v Leitrim

Connacht Championship 2011

Sligo v Leitrim  Markievicz Park Sunday 22nd May at 3.30pm

You an download the match Poster from here 

Ticketing Information 

 

Ticket Prices

Seating €30

Terrace €20

Children €5

Students can get refund of €10 on Terrace Tickets with valid ID at designated stile # 15

OAPs can get refund of €10 on Stand or Terrace Tickets with valid ID at designated stile #15

Sunday 22nd May 2011

Markievicz Park, Sligo

Senior: Leitrim vs. Sligo at 3.30pm

Development squads: Sligo vs. Leitrim at 1.30pm.

Ticket Sales for Connacht Championship 2011

Thursday 19th May- Leitrim & Sligo

Supervalu, Grange 12-2.30pm

Supervalu, Ballinamore 4.30-7.30pm

Friday 20th May- Sligo

Supervalu, Ballinamore 12-2.30pm

Supervalu, Ballisodare 4.30-7pm

Saturday 21st May-

Supervalu- Tubbercurry 11am-1pm

Supervalu, Carrick-on-shannon 11am-1pm

Tickets can be sourced from

Leitrim County Board, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.

email: secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie

phone: (071) 9620441 or 086 8961686

 

Mobile: 086-8961686

 

 

11-May-11 by Leitrim GAA

Connacht Junior Football Championship Report

Connacht JFC
 
Mayo                                      1 – 14
Leitrim                                    0 – 15
            Leitrim capitulated in the final seventeen minutes of Friday evening’s lively Connacht Junior championship preliminary game in Aghamore to allow Mayo come from behind and grab a place in this Friday evening’s Connacht semi-final against Roscommon.
            After twenty-three minutes of the action in Aghamore, Leitrim led by seven points and seemed to be on their way for a win as they had outplayed Mayo in virtually every area of the field.
            However Mayo staged a late first half rally to cut the deficit with Leitrim to four points at the break. The Mayo surge continued after the restart and a 43rd minute goal by Colin Dempsey put them ahead for the first time in the game, as his side took a lead they never subsequently surrendered.
            Leitrim started like a tornado and claimed a 0 – 5 lead in the opening nine minutes. In this period Conor Sheridan opened with a point for Leitrim while Conor Beirne tapped over a free, which was followed by two Adrian Croal points from play with Brian McDonald also fisting over a minor score.
            Mayo, who had struggled in the opening ten minutes, got their first score when Colin Dempsey tapped over an 11th minute free after Michael Conroy was fouled while shortly afterwards midfielder Peter Collins added another point from play.
            Leitrim continued to put pressure on the home side and stretched their lead to six points by the 19th minute after Adrian Croal shot over twice while in between these two scores Fergal Clancy also add a point.
            Jack McDonnell replied with a 21st minute Mayo free conversion. Again Leitrim drove forward with Adrian Croal whipping over another point after being put through by a quick free from Barry McWeeney while Colm Maguire added a 23rd minute point after receiving a pass from Croal.      
            After that Mayo began their come back when Colin Dempsey blazed over a goal chance in the following minute. Dempsey then slotted over two further points in quick succession from play and a free while Simon Clotherty also shot over in the 30th minute.
            Before halftime Adrian Croal replied with a point from play that made the score at the interval Leitrim 0 – 11 Mayo 0 – 7. Following the restart Colin Dempsey reduced the deficit for Mayo when he hit the target with a point within 58 seconds of the throw in.
            Over the next three minutes Leitrim’s Adrian Croal and Mayo’s Michael Ford exchanged a point from play at opposite ends. Then Mayo pushed on and levelled the proceedings by 41st minute after Colin Dempsey put over a 45metres free and shot over from play while Jack McDonnell also converted a free.
            Following that Leitrim regained the lead for the last time in the encounter when Conor Beirne found the range with a 42nd minute free. The turning point in the game came in the following minute when a sweeping Mayo movement from inside the Leitrim half took place. 
James McAndrew raced unchallenged through a chasm in the centre of the Leitrim defence and fired a point blank shot that was parried by ‘keeper Philip Farrelly. But the rebound went straight to Colin Dempsey who volleyed to the net, to put Mayo ahead for the first time in the showdown.
Emlyn Mulligan, who had been recently introduced as a sub for Brian McDonald, hit back with 54th minute Leitrim point. But it was answered within the space of a minute with a similar score from Mayo’s Michael Ford.
The Mayo lead was cut to the minimum when Adrian Croal shot a 56th minute point. Meanwhile Mayo had a let off in the following minute when Croal blazed a goal chance off the crossbar while the rebound eluded Conor Beirne, whose was in close attendance, and was cleared.
After that man-of-the-match Colin Dempsey made victory secure for Mayo when tapped over a free prior to the final whistle.
Mayo: Conor Campbell, Tom Staunton, Ollie Feeney, Conor Cawely, Denis McNamara, Colm Cafferky, Dermot Costello, Peter Collins 0 – 1, Michael Ford 0 – 2, Alan Egan, James McAndrew, Simon Cloherty 0 – 1, Jack McDonnell 0 – 2(2f.), Colin Dempsey 1 – 8(4f.), Michael Conroy. Subs John Broderick for Cawely (11 mins.), Pat Casey for Costello (17 mins.), Frank Burke for Cafferky (27 mins.), Clifford Connely for McDonnell (53 mins.), Liam Lydon for Conroy (58).
Leitrim: Philip Farrelly, Gavin Reynolds, Mark Beirne, Paddy Maguire, Paul Brennan, Barry McWeeney, Conor Sheridan 0 – 1, Paddy McGowan, Robbie Lowe, Fergal Clancy 0 – 1, Colm Maguire 0 – 1, Conor Beirne 0 – 2(2f.), Brian McDonald 0 – 1, Adrian Croal 0 – 8, Conor Kelly. Subs Morgan Quinn for Kelly (HT), E. Mulligan 0 – 1for McDonald (49mins.)Referee: T J Keaveney (Sligo

 

 

03-May-11 by Colette Fox – PRO