The Waterford Express was up to full steam yesterday in Dungarvan as the Deise were looking for atonement from their defeat in London. A physically bigger Waterford team opened this potential promotion decider at full throttle against the wind and moved with pace through Leitrims centre registering 3 wides from play in 4 minutes. The signs were there for a very tough encounter as they opened their account on the 6th minute from a free. Leitrim who had a slow start steadied a little and Philly McGuinness scored 1 minute later with a point from play after Leitrim put together a series of passes to free him up in front of the posts. Waterford replied with a free 2 minutes later but Leitrim playing with more vigor started to open the Waterford defence up front. A fine sequence of moves left Gary McCloskey one on one with the keeper on a loose hopping ball and Gary fisted the ball over the keepers head and unfortunately over the bar for a point for what should have been an opportunist goal.
Then the tide turned in Dungarvan as the swiftness of the earlier Waterford attacks came to the fore again. A 3 minute period that put Leitrim very much on the back foot started with a Liam LenihanÓgoal from play as he Scórched down an open right hand side line from the 45 and swiftly dispatched the ball to the back of the net. Leitrims woes continued as Declan Maxwell who had been putting pressure on the Waterford defense with high balls received an injury and had to be substituted by Emlyn Mulligan. This was followed quickly by another Lenihan attack onÓgoal and Waterford were now 2-02 to 0-2. Leitrim put together their best period of play as they scored 5 points without reply over 13 minutes before Waterford finished the half with a free on the 33rd minute. During this sequence Emlyn Mulligan scored 2 frees and 1 from play and Ray Cox scored 1 of each with a chance for a goal missed when he drove the ball over the bar. James Holohan received an injury and was replaced by Darren Duignan and just before half time Ray Cox was replaced by Tomas Beirne. All of the full forward line were now replaced due to injury. Two points between them at half time but you felt Waterford were the most comfortable going in for the break.
The second half against the wind opened with a BrendanÓgallagher point from play followed by a Waterford point from a free. Waterford missed another chance before Emlyn Mulligan pointed from a free. Daniel Beck replaced Adrian OFlynn on the 43rd minute. Waterford again left 2 between them with a point from play as their no 5 got on the score board. On the 53rd minute Leitrim was hit with a devastating blow as Waterford won a dubious penalty which was neatly slotted passed Enda Lyons who dived left and the ball hit low and hard to the right. Gary McCloskey was yellow carded in the process and was replaced by Shane Canning. Waterford quickly followed up the goal with a point from play again followed by a sustained period of attacks resulting in wides. Positional switches on the field meant that Pat Gilmartin was introduced as Darren Duignan was substituted on the 63rd minute. Leitrim then moved enmass into the Waterford half and for 12 minutes were pretty much hammering the Waterford defense with attack after attack with little in return as it ended with 1 point from Michael Foley and three wides from Tomas Beirne, Dermot Reynolds and Barry Prior. Waterfords defense had held out and moved back up field to score from a free followed by 2 wides. More Leitrim pressure ended in a fisted goal from Dermot Reynolds and despite several more attacks on a wall of blue and white Leitrim couldnt penetrate and the game ended Waterford 3-07 Leitrim 1-10.
Leitrims promotion chances are all but over with 2 rounds to play as another away game in Kilkenny this Sunday is followed by a home game to Clare the following weekend.
23-Mar-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Allianz NHL Division Four – Round 4
Club FootballAllianz NHL Division Four – Round 4 (PJ Leddy)
Leitrim 0 – 15
Cavan 0 – 12
Leitrim pulled out all the stops in the second half to register their first Allianz NHL Division 4 win over neighbours Cavan in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday.
After the sides had levelled matters on four different occasions in the first half it finished level pegging on a 0 – 9 all score line at the break.
Following their best spell in the game Cavan led by 0 – 6 to 0 – 3 at the 13th minute mark thanks to Andrew McManus who shot three points, Paul Sheridan two points and Ritchie Fitzsimons a point.
Within four minutes of the restart Clement Cunniffe put over a free and Gary Hickey added a point from play, which edged Leitrim into a lead they never subsequently surrendered.
However Edward Dalton narrowed the gap to the minimum when he replied with a 41st minute Cavan point from play.
But Leitrim stretched their advantage to four points during the next ten minutes when Conor Burns fired over twice from play and Clement Cunniffe converted a free.
Leitrim:
Fintan McKiernan, Kevin McGrath, Vinny McDermott, David Tiernan, James McGrail, Dave McGovern, Stephen Feeney, Keith Connolly, Clement Cunniffe 0 – 8 (8f.), Colm Hayes 0 – 2, Conor Burns 0 – 2, Shane Kiernan 0 – 2, Gary Hickey 0 – 1, Michael Burns, Kevin OConnor.
Subs Paul McKiernan for OConnor (55 mins.), Paul Lyons for Hayes (YC 58 mins).
Cavan:
Darren Sheridan, Daithi Neary, Michael Carr, Mickey OConnell, Barry Dalton, Anthony Sheridan 0 – 1, Barry Ryan, Kieran Brennan, Andrew Nelligan, Edward Dalton 0 – 1, Paul Sheridan 0 – 2, Richie Fitzsimons 0 – 1, Andrew McManus 0 – 5(4f.), Phil Brady, Gerard Clerkin 0 – 1.
Subs Ronan OHagan for Nelligan (47 mins.), Thomas Craig for Fitzsimons (57mins.), Dominic Crudden for Clerkin (57 mins.), Mark McEntee for Dalton (58 mins.), Jonathon Dalton 0 – 1 for McManus (68 mins.).
Referee: CiaranÓgroome (Offaly).
25-Mar-09 by PJ Leddy
Results from Co Scór Finals
ScórCongratulations to all of the clubs on winning their respective category in the finals last Saturday night.
Rince Foirne: Glencar Manorhamilton
Amhranaíocht Aonair: Drumreilly
Ceol Uirlise: Glencar/Manorhamilton
Aithriseoireacht: St Marys
Bailéad Ghrúpa: St Marys
Nuachleas: Seán OHeslins
Trath na gCeist: Bornacoola
Rince Seit: Glencar/Manorhamilton
Connacht Scór Finals
The Leitrim representatives will take the stage in the Connacht Finals in Elphin on Sunday next starting at 5.00pm
40th Anniversary Concert.
The Scór Ceolchoirm or commemorative Concert takes place on Friday week, 3 April in Ballinamore starting at 9.00pm. It promises to be a great occasion. More details in next weeks Observer
24-Mar-09 by Sean o Suiilleabhan
Club Championship Draws available online
Club FootballThe draw for the 2009 Senior, Intermediate and Junior A Championships was held in the Bush Hotel this evening and the 3 sets of draws are now available to download in PDF format from the menus on the left hand side.
23-Mar-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO
Club Championship Draw for 2009
Club FootballDraws for the 2009 SFC, IFC and JFCA will take place in the Bush Hotel tonight, March 23, commencing at 9pm. As the event is being aired live by Shannonside Northern Sound Radio, club representatives are requested to be in attendance at 8.30pm in order that the preliminaries may be in place in advance of the Live Radio Show. PDF Copies of the draw will be online tomorrow.
23-Mar-09 by Brendan Doyle – PRO