Leitrim 6-9     Longford 2-8

Leitrim U-16s advanced to the Fr. Manning Cup Semi Final with a comfortable victory over Longford on Saturday last at the Leitrim Centre of Excellence.   Playing against a gale force breeze in the first half, Leitrim started the game in dramatic fashion with Paul Honeyman finishing a great Leitrim move to the net inside 3 minutes.   It could have been so much better for Leitrim as an earlier goal chance went a begging after some great build up play carved the Longford defence open.   Indeed, this was to be a recurring feature of the game and something that will undoubtedly need addressing going forward as Leitrim continually created chances throughout the game without capitalising.   By the 11^th minute Leitrim had added a further goal from Fionn Curley and 2 points from Josh Maye and a Paul Honeyman free.   Longford eventually got on the scoreboard with a free kick and this was followed with 2 points from play to reduce the gap to 5 points.   Dara Greenan then got the score of the game when after claiming a kickout with a fine catch, he proceeded to carry the ball 60 yards through the heart of Longford defence and finish expertly to the roof of the net to restore Leitrim’s 8 point lead.   Josh Maye added a further point for Leitrim and this score was sandwiched between 2 Longford points to leave the half time score Leitrim 3-3 Longford 0-5.

Longford started the 2^nd half in much better fashion adding a goal and a point inside the first 4 minutes.   Leitrim responded themselves with a well taken Senan Mooney goal and points from Brian Keaney and Paul Honeyman but Longford added another goal and 2 points of their own which proved to be their last scores in the match on 10 minutes.   Leading by 3 points, Leitrim completely dominated the rest of the game adding a further 2-4 to their tally with the scores coming from Paul Honeyman (2-2), Josh Maye and sub Cian Reynolds (0-1 apiece).   As Leitrim emptied their bench, the chances kept coming their way without much threat to their own defence.   Throughout the game, Leitrim created numerous chances but had 15 wides and will want to improve on their accuracy going into the remainder of their season.   All in all it was a satisfactory outcome for Leitrim as their intensity and general play was very good.   They can now look forward to a Fr. Manning Cup semi-final on July 23^rd with as yet unknown opposition.

LEITRIM: Darragh Lee, Aaron Gardiner, Darragh Gardiner, Eanna McNamara, Dessie Wisley, Colm McLoughlin, Josh McNamee, Dara Greenan (1-0), James Gilheaney, Fionn Curley (1-0), Josh McNamee (0-3), Brian Keaney (0-1), Noah McNulty, Paul Honeyman (3-4), Senan Mooney (1-0). Subs: Liam Crowe, James Shanley, Frank Cullen, Adam Reynolds, Cian Reynolds (0-1), Cathal McCarthy, Tommy Reen, David Liu Doyle.

HUMPHREY KELLIHER CUP

Leitrim 4-11   Longford 3-7

Leitrim U15s completed a double for the county’s underage squads on Saturday when they accounted for a game Longford team on Saturday at the Leitrim Centre of Excellence.   Also playing against the stiff breeze in the 1^st half, Leitrim started very well and probably shaded the contest in that first half despite trailing narrowly at half time.   The second half saw Leitrim come flying out of the blocks and quickly gained an advantage that they never surrendered.   This was an impressive all round display from the U15s who got back to winning ways after 2 narrow defeats earlier in the competition.   They now progress to the Shield semi finals of this competition which will also be held on July 23^rd.

LEITRIM: Daire Shannon, Aodh Gavin, Oran Foley, Killian Mulvey, Niall Torsney, Niall Stenson, Cormac Moran, Luke Fitzsimons, Bailey McBride, Peter Moran, Sean Carolan Morris, Cillian Downes, Senan Bohan, Andrew Lee, Ruairi O’Rourke. Subs: Josh Sheridan, Gavin Gallagher, Joey McBrien, Mark Ahearne, Jack Kelly, Oisin Conlon

Note: The next outing for both these squads will be at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan for their respective Connacht Blitz days on 9^th July.