They may have lost their Senior Championship status but Aughawillan ensured that 2008 finished on a high last Saturday when they held out for a surprise and narrow Masonite Division Two League Final victory over arch rivals and firm favourites Sean O Heslins at the end of a nail biting showdown in Ballinamore.

County Minor star Morgan Quinn slotted over an injury time free to ensure victory for Aughawillan after Sean O Heslins had staged a determined second half come back rally, during which they wiped out a six points interval deficit, to get on level terms by the 56th minute.

It was quite a turnaround in fortunes for Aughawillan who had suffered a massive 0-18 to 0-7 defeat at the hands of their great rivals at the beginning of November but an excellent first half set them up for a famous win.

Aughawillan took complete command in the first half of this game and put O Heslins on the rack during most of the exchanges. But O Heslins turned the tables on their neighbours for most of the second half and outgunned them by eight points to three in that period.

However, Aughawillan prevented O Heslins from getting their noses in front at any stage in the last thirty minutes, despite the fact that the Ballinamore men camped in the Willies half of the field for almost seventy percent of this periods exchanges.

When it came to putting the scores on the board, Aughawillan was by far the more clinical side of the two on view. Much to the annoyance of their supporters and mentors, Sean O Heslins squandered numerous chances, especially in the first half from frees and play.

Michael Quinn edged Aughawillan into an early lead when shot over just 32 seconds after the throw-in. Over the next nine minutes, Aughawillan increased their lead with a Sean Quinn point and a Barry Prior free after Prior himself had been illegally impeded by an O Heslins defender.

In the 19th minute, Morgan Quinn put Aughawillan four points ahead when he fired over.

Sean O Heslins got their account opened two minutes later with a well-executed Brian Cafferty point after good support play by Sean Murray. Caffertys point ended the Ballinamore mens Scóring drought, as O Heslins had registered a number of bad wides in the opening 20 minutes.

Aughawillan had a lucky escape in the 22nd minute when Wayne McKeon blazed a goal chance wide with only keeper John Prior to beat.

But a free tapped over by Morgan Quinn six minutes later, following a foul by Jim McTague on Ryan Creamer, restored Aughawillan four point advantage.

In the 29th minute, Barry Prior slotted over another free and another Jim McTague foul, this time on Barry Prior deep first half injury time, was punished by Morgan Quinn when he converted three free, to leave Aughawillan 0-7 to 0-1 ahead at the break.

After the restart, Sean O Heslins demonstrated a much improved cutting edge when they whittled Aughawillans advantage down to two points in the opening ten minutes of the second half as David Duignan, Wayne McKeon, Finian Sharpley and Kieran Murray shot a point each from play.

Aughawillan, who had played second fiddle during the first eleven minutes of the second half, replied with a 42nd minute point from a Barry Prior free after Ryan Creamer was fouled.

Sean O Heslins David Duignan, from play, and Aughawillans Morgan Quinn, from a free, swapped a point each at opposite ends in the 45th and 47th minutes.

O Heslins put together a determined rally after which they drew level by the 56th minute. Running at the Aughawillan defence, Ballinamore won three frees, which Finian Sharpley confidently put over, to level matters with just over six minutes of playing action remaining.

However, in the 59th minute O Heslins had a close shave when keeper, Philip Farrelly was forced to come smartly off his line, to prevent a goal bound Gavin Beirne effort from entering his net.

But some two minutes later Joe Honeyman fouled Beirne and Aughawillan was now provided with the opportunity to win the game once Morgan Quinn stepped up and hit over the resultant free.

Wayne McKeon had a chance to force a replay in the 62nd minute after O Heslins was awarded free just inside the 45 metre line. However McKeons shot went wide and after that the Division Two League title was claimed by Aughawillan.

Aughawillan

John Prior, Noel Darcy, Paul Prior, Barry McBrien, Gerard McGovern, Kevin McTague, Sean Quinn (0-1), Christopher Prior, Gary Deane, Morgan Quinn (0-5), Michael Quinn (0-1), Barry Prior (0-5), Shane Flanagan, Gavin Beirne, Ryan Creamer. Sub Ciaran Smith for B. Prior (51 mins).

Sean O Heslins

Philip Farrelly, Johnny McWeeney, Joe Honeyman, Liam Ferguson, David Duignan (0-2), Paddy McLoughlin, Jim McTague, Paul McLoughlin, Wayne McKeon (0-1), Anthony McTague, Finian Sharpley (0-4), Brian Cafferty (0-1), Sean Murray, Kieran Murray (0-1), Shane Murphy. Subs James McWeeney for A. McTague (55 mins).

Referee: Sean McCartin.

This full report is available thanks to PJ Leddy for the Leitrim Observer
– its available in this weeks edition of the Observer and online here

04-Dec-08 by LeitrimObserver.ie

Drumkeerin put in a storming second half performance to claim victory over north Leitrim rivals Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher in Sundays entertaining Leitrim U-21 B quarter-final, which was played in a wind swept and hail shower soaked Shane McGettigan Memorial Park, Drumshanbo.

U-21 B CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL
DRUMKEERIN 2-11
GLENFARNE/KILTYCLOGHER 0-8

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher lined out for this game a man short, as they only could field twelve players on the day.

Aided by a very strong breeze, Drumkeerin used the extra man to full advantage in the second half when they outscored Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher by a 1-8 to 0-2 margin.

Drumkeerin keeper, Barry McPadden brought off a series of top class saves that thwarted Glenfarne/Kiltycloghers best goal Scóring efforts at three crucial junctures in the first half and again on two further occasions in the second half.

In a period that Drumkeerin struggled, Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher claimed a three point lead during the opening eight minutes of the action when Fergal Clancy and Niall Clancy shot over from play while Padraig Sweeney tapped over a free.

However Drumkeerin fought back to get on level terms by the thirteenth minute after Eddie McTiernan converted a free and shot over from play, while James McPartlan also hit a point from play. But Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher went back in front after James Murray shot over in the 17th minute.

Fergal Clancy found the target from two frees over the next ten minutes, to edge Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher into a 0-6 to 0-3 halftime lead.

Drumkeerin started the second half well and reduced the deficit onÓglenfarne/Kiltyclogher to the minimum in the first four minutes of the second half after StephenÓgilhooly and Eddie McTiernan fired over a point each from play.

Fergal Clancy responded with a thirty fifth minute Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher point from play.

Drumkeerin lifted their game again and got on level terms over the next five minutes after James McPartlan and StephenÓgilhooly added a point apiece from play.

A forty first minute Ciaran Walpole goal put Drumkeerin ahead for the first time in the game. This was a vital strike for the Drumkeerin men, as it gave them the upper-hand onÓglenfarne/Kiltyclogher, who were forced to play second fiddle for the rest of the game.

Padraig Sweeney replied with a point from play for Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher three minutes later but this proved to be his sides last score in the game. After that Drumkeerin extended their lead to nine points in the last sixteen minutes of action.

In this period StephenÓgilhooly led Drumkeerins charge to secure a place in next Sundays semi-final with Bornacoola when he shot over a forty fifth minute point.

Eddie McTiernan stretched Drumkeerins advantage to four points three minutes later when he fired over from play.

Drumkeerin kept pulling further ahead of Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher as the second half wore on with Aidan Dolan whipping over points from play in the 50th and 53rd minutes. There was no way back for Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher after StephenÓgilhooly fired home a 54th minute goal, which completed the Scóring in the game.

After a slow start Drumkeerin finished very strongly and gave a strong indication that they will provide a stern test for Bornacoola in Sundays semi-final.But it is unlikely that Bornacoola will allow Drumkeerin come from behind should the north Leitrim side not get down to business right from the start.

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher, who suffered a heavy defeat at the end of their quarter-final game in Drumshanbo, still managed to put up a good show for three quarters of the encounter, despite playing with a player less than Drumkeerin.

Drumkeerin:

Barry McPadden, Fintan Harvey, Dean McVeigh, Jason Beirne, Aidan Dolan 0-2, Thomas Lavin, James McPartlan 0-2, Keith Gallagher, StephenÓgilhooly 1-3, Thomas Davitt, Eddie McTiernan 0-4, Ciaran Walpole 1-0, Kevin Forde.

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher:

Francis Keaney, John Sheerin, Ronan McGowan, Dermot Harkin, Sean McManus, Niall Clancy 0-1, Jonathan Keaney, Diarmuid Clancy, James Murray 0-1, Padraig Sweeney 0-2, Shane McLoughlin, Fergal Clancy 0-4.

Referee: Raymond Kerrigan.

28-Nov-08 by PJ Leddy – C/o LeitrimObserver.ie

Garadice Gaels last Friday night completed the minor double when they beat St Manachans in the league final having already emerged victorious in the championship earlier in the season.

MINOR LEAGUE FINAL
GARADICE GAELS 1-11
ST MANACHANS 0-8

It was tough on St Manachans who had a bright start to the game but were dealt a cruel blow when two members of their half-back line, John Mulligan and Kevin Kilrane collided with one another while running to gather a loose ball.

Both players had to be substituted after the incident which left both players with nasty injuries.

Having to play without two of their most influential players for the remaining three quarters of the game was always going to be a tough challenge for the St Monichans players and while they gave their all, Garadice Gaels did enough to claim victory.

St Manachans had started the game impressively and opened up a two point lead inside the opening six minutes.

Conor Beirne opened the Scóring with a free and Shane Quinn doubled the advantage after winning possession himself and completing the job with a well taken point.

Although Brian Fee pulled a point back for Garadice Gaels St Monichans were the dominant force at this early stage of the game and opened up a three point lead after Mark Beirne and Domhnaill OFlynn pointed.

With the game being played at a good pace and with plenty of exciting football on display the contest was delicately poised.

Unfortunately for St Manachans they were dealt a cruel blow when John Mulligan and Kevin Kilrane collided with one another. Both players were fully committed to getting the ball and whether either of them was dazzled by the floodlights is unclear. What was clear was that they were both hurt to such an extent that they were unable to continue and an ambulance was called to further assist the injured players.

With the game being held up for some time, it was hardly surprising that when it restarted the game lacked the same intensity.

Shane Flanagan pointed and Conor Beirne exchanged pointed frees, but Garadice Gaels finished the half the stronger of the sides with Shane Flanagan Scóring three further points from frees.

St Manachans registered only one score during that period with Conor Beirne also on target from a free.

On the stroke of half-time, Garadice Gaels almost gave themselves a massive psychological boost but were denied what seemed a certainÓgoal whenÓgoalkeeper Emmet Higgins produced an outstanding save.

CiaranÓgilheany ran at the heart of the St Manachans defence before playing a perfectly timed pass towards Ryan Creamer. Creamer flicked the ball first time towards the goal with his palm and it seemed certain as though the games opening goal had been scored.

However, Higgins had other ideas and made a great save, diving to his left and pushing the ball on to the post.

The half-time whistle sounded shortly afterwards and no doubt both sets of players would have been happy with the chance to regroup and get some instructions from their mentors.

With the second half barely four minutes old, Garadice Gaels Dermot Holohan pointed from 40 meters to level the scores at six points apiece.

Having drawn level, Garadice Gaels came very close to taking the lead for the first time but were once again denied by a great save from Emmet Higgins.

Ronan McCartin turned and shot quickly and once again it seemed as though Garadice Gaels were destined to score a goal. However, once again Higgins was up to the task as he produced another outstanding save.

At the other end St Monichans Michael OConnor capitalised on a poor clearance by the Garadice Gaels goalkeeper Colin Maguire. OConnor claimed possession of the ball and his shot sailed between the uprights to restore the lead for St Monichans.

With 20 minutes of the game remaining St Manachans held a slender one point advantage but in those remaining 20 minutes the team from Drumreilly and Aughawillan were the stronger of the sides and stepped up the pace of the contest.

A Shane Flanagan free drew the sides level once again, before Flanagan scored an excellent individual point to give his side the lead for the first time.

A Ryan Creamer point extended Garadice Gaels lead and although St Monichans were only trailing by two points with 16 minutes of the game remaining, Garadice Gaels were beginning to look like a team who believed they were on course for victory.

St Manachans on the other hand were beginning to run out of ideas and fell further behind when Morgan Quinn pointed.

A Conor Beirne free with seven minutes remaining reduced the deficit to two points, but there was to be no grandstand finish as St Manachans failed to add to their tally while Garadice Gaels struck for a goal and a point.

After Brian Fee scored a very good point, Garadice Gaels made sure of victory when Shane Flanagan launched a dangerous high ball towards the St Monichans goal. Emmet Higgins did very well initially to deal with the testing ball, but the rebound fell kindly to Ciaran Gilheaney and from close range he made no mistake and duly scored the games only goal.

Whether or not the injuries to Kevin Kilrane and John Mulligan were what ultimately swung the game in favour of Garadice Gaels cannot be said definitively. What can be said is that in tough conditions and after a good game of football Garadice Gaels were the better side, but only just.

Garadice Gaels
Colin Maguire, Anthony Holohan, Kevin McTague, Fionnbarr Quinn, Noel Plunkett, Dermot Holohan (0-1), Fergal Mitchell, Shane Flanagan (0-6), Morgan Quinn (0-1), Brian Fee (0-2), Sean Flanagan, Ronan McCartin, Aiden Dolan, CiaranÓgilheany, Ryan Creamer (0-1). Subs: Padraig Dolan for Dolan (53 mins), DamienÓgrimes for Fee (58 mins)

St Manachans
Emmet Higgins, Jonathan Beirne, Gabriel Egan, Mathew Bohan, John Mulligan, Kevin Kilrane, Michael OConnor (0-2), Mark Beirne (0-1), Niall Flynn, Shane Quinn (0-1), Niall OBrien, Domhnaill Flynn, Conor Beirne (0-4), Paul Reynolds, Conor Beirne. Subs: Alan Armstrong and Ronan Reynolds for Kilrane and Mulligan (15 mins), Lee Cassles for P Reynolds (45 mins), SeanÓgildea for Shane Quinn (53 mins).
Referee: Eamon OGrady

27-Nov-08 by Philip Rooney – LeitrimObserver.ie