Leitrim picked up their first points of the league and hopes of avoiding relegation when they comprehensively defeated Connacht champions Sligo in Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday.

In a lively first half Leitrim, minus four first-choice players through injury, were three points up without reply after 15 minutes but a brace of points from Philip Gallagher and Eamon Cawley kept the visitors in touch. However, further points from Leitrims top scorer on the day Emlyn Mulligan gave them a deserved half-time lead of 0-5 to 0-3.

Leitrim continued to dominate on the resumption and in the 49th minute, Fintan McBriens effort over the head of Phillip Greene in the Sligo goal dashed any hopes of a Sligo comeback. Their woes were compounded 10 minutes from time when Eamonn OHara was red carded.

ScórERS: Leitrim: E Mulligan 0-8 (6f), F McBrien 1-1, D Brennan,D Duignan,D Reynolds 0-1 each. Sligo: E Cawley 0-3, K Byrne,B Kivlehan,P Gallagher (1f) 0-1 each.

LEITRIM — E Lyons; D Reynolds,J McKeon,M McGuinness; G Reynolds,B Prior,S Foley; G McCloskey(Capt),R Gallagher; P McGuinness, D Maxwell,D Duignan; E Mulligan,D Brennan,C Duignan. Subs: D OConnor for C Duignan, F McBrien for Gallagher, P Howard for McGuinness.

SLIGO — P Greene; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donavan; J Davey, P Naughton, B Kivlehan; K Quinn, K Byrne; P Gallagher, E OHara, B Curran; E Cawley, M Brehony, D Kelly. Subs: K Sweeney for Gallagher, K Langan for Brehony, P Wilson for Quinn, P McGovern for Cawley.

REF — B Crowe (Cavan).

17-Mar-08 by Irish Independant.ie

Fermanagh 3-10

Leitrim 2-9

The scoreline flattered Fermanagh in this NFL Division 3 clash at Pairc Sean Mhic Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday.

The home side were five points to one ahead by the 23rd minute. Fermanagh kept in touch with points by Matthew Keenan, Martin McGrath and Martin Little. Then in the 35th minute a Declan Maxwell goal put Leitrim 1-5 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

Within two minutes of the resumption, Leitrim had extended their lead to eight points following a pointed free by Emlyn Mulligan and a second goal also by Mulligan, following yet another impressive move by the Leitrim forwards. However a lapse in concentration one minute later allowed Fermanagh back into the game when the unmarked Mark Murphy found himself in space and crashed the ball to the Leitrim net from 30 metres.

A second Fermanagh goal by Keenan in the 50th minute put the sides level and two further Fermanagh points without reply had them in sight of victory.

Despite their handicap, Leitrim were back on level terms with four minutes remaining following points from Emlyn Mulligan and Michael Foley to set up an exciting finale.

A further exchange of scores left just one point separating the sides three minutes into extra time. Leitrim threw everything into attack and losing possession were caught out when Fermanaghs Patrick Cadden finished to the net.

ScórERS — Fermanagh: M Keenan 1-4 (2f), P Cadden, M Murphy 1-0 each, M Little (0-2f),T McElroy 0-2 each, M McGrath,P Ward 0-1 each. Leitrim: E Mulligan 1-4 (4f),D Maxwell 1-2, M Foley 0-3.

Fermanagh — F Murphy, S Goan,R McCloskey, N Bogue, D Kelly, S Lyons, R Johnston, M McGrath, M Murphy, C McElroy, M Keenan, M Little, P Cadden, L McBarron, R Keenan. Subs: J McGurn for L McBarron,T McElroy for R Johnston, P Ward for R Kenan, N Keenan for J McGurn.

LEITRIM — E Lyons; D Reynolds, J McKeon, M McGuinness; G Reynolds,B McWeeney,S Foley; G McCloskey (Capt), M Duignan; C Regan, D Maxwell, M Foley,C Duignan,D Brennan,E Mulligan. Subs: D Duignan for C Regan, P McGuinness for C Duignan.

REF — R ODonnell (Donegal).

10-Mar-08 by Irish Independant.ie