Gaeltacht Grants 2023

Wexford lost to Laois in the last round in Portlaoise on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-8. Laois are everybody’s favourites to get promoted so the Wexford performance was a good one away from home. At home they will be very difficult to beat. Wexford consider themselves to be a Division 3 team.

Wexford v Leitrim is never easy. It is seven years (2016) since Leitrim last played Wexford in Wexford.

Leitrim v Wexford 20^th March 2022- Final Score -Leitrim 3-9 Wexford 1-11.

The last few meetings between both counties have been ding dong affairs. Last year in Carrick on Shannon substitute Conor Cullen fired to the visitor’s net just before the death. A goal by Darragh Rooney  in the first  half put Leitrim in the driving seat and they lead by 1 –04 to O-04 at the break. Leitrim maintained a slight edge in the early second half proceedings but Wexford levelled twice and edged ahead with points by Byrne and Shanley. However, a 48th minute Ryan O’Rourke goal for Leitrim and Cullen’s goal near the end gave Leitrim a bigger win than looked likely to happen for long periods in the game.

Due to covid in 2021 Wexford and Leitrim did not play each other as Leitrim played in a group of Antrim Sligo and Louth, and in 2020 Leitrim played in Division 3 and they did not meet.

In 2019 Leitrim beat Wexford in Carrick on Shannon by 3-15 to 0-11 and got promoted under Terry Hyland’s management.

In 2018 it was Wexford’s turn to play in Division 3 and we did not play each other.

In 2017 Wexford beat Leitrim in Carrick on Shannon on a scoreline of 0-16 to 0-14 and Wexford got promoted that year.

It is seven years ago (2016) since Wexford had home advantage against Leitrim and Wexford came out on top on a scoreline of 0-14 to 1-10 against a Shane Ward managed Leitrim team. The sides were deadlocked as the game entered the closing minutes, but Donal Shanley (Wexford) pointed a controversial game-winning free in additional time.

The Leitrim team listed in the match programme was  – Brendan Flynn, Mathew Murphy, Niall Woods, Michael McWeeney, Killian McGrisken, Barry Prior, Shane Quinn, Donal Wrynn, Darren Sweeney, Nevin O Donnell, Emlyn Mulligan, Kevin Conlan, Ciaran Gilheaney, Adrian Croal, Brian Mulvey. Leitrim scorers, S Quinn (1-01), N O’Donnell (0-03), C Gaffney (0-02), E Mulligan (0-02), A Croal (0-01), K Conlan (0-01)

Four  players from 2016 are still on the Leitrim panel, Donal Wrynn, Shane Quinn, Nevin O Donnell and Emlyn Mulligan. In  the 2016  game Nevin O Donnell scored 0-03 , Nevin is sub goalie on the current panel and Shane Quinn scored 1-01 from the left half back position.

Since 2016 Leitrim have played Wexford four times ( 2016,2017,2019 and 2022) winning two and losing two. Who will win next Sunday, that is the question?.

It won’t be easy and will be close but with a bit of luck on our side we will bring home a victory.

Eamonn Duignan

Match Report – Leitrim v London 05/02/2023

London is a special place for me. In 1982  (41 years ago)  I was on the first Leitrim team to play London in London in the Connacht Championship. We won 1-13 to 0-4. In the intervening years London have improved dramatically and yesterday in London I was hugely impressed with London’s performance. Make no mistake about it this game went right to the wire and had the huge crowd on the edge of their seats in what was a championship atmosphere.

In the first half London were finding it easier to get into scoring positions and kicked a number of bad wides. Leitrim were struggling to break down the London defence and were more economical and the first half ended 0-6 to 0-3 in Leitrim’s favour undeservedly so.

The second half went one way then the other  and when Keith Beirne scored a goal it looked comfortable at 1-7 to 0-5. Another goal from Donal Wrynn followed and at 2-9 to 0-7 it looked done and dusted with fifteen minutes of normal time to go. When London had Henry Walsh red carded in the 56^th minute it appeared Leitrim’s job was done. With London really piling on the pressure and scoring five points in a row the game exploded in the 65^th minute when London scored a goal from a loose ball to bring the score to 2-10 to 1-13.  Three points in it as we approached the last five minutes it was squeaky bum time. Leitrim worked the ball up the field past the London defence line  and within the minute Tom Prior got the goal that would make the game safe notwithstanding a few anxious moments before the final whistle.

The match was a serious test for the Leitrim team. Travelling by bus, going through airports, getting buses when you arrive and trying to ensure it does not affect performance is really hard to do. That Leitrim won against a serious London team and will do wonders for the players confidence. Certainly London scoring five points  in a row with a man down at a crucial time in the match needs examination. London will win a few matches at home in London and could impact on the final league placings for a few teams.  The Leitrim team are a unit and their preparation is very professional under Andy and his management team. In all the circumstances it was a great victory.

Next up Wexford…..

Eamonn Duignan