Glensmen take Allianz League Points Leitrim 1-13 Antrim 1-18

After an intriguing but always interesting encounter it was the visitors who took both Allianz League points in Páirc Sean Mac Diarmada today. Despite a bright start and raising the green flag early on, Leitrim were playing catch up for the best part of this match and in the end could have no complaints about the result following a most competitive encounter. The result all but finishes Leitrim’s promotion prospects but, nonetheless, the team building that is ongoing for the future will give lots of heart to Leitrim followers as the players gave an excellent account of themselves and kept battling away to the final whistle.

Played out in front of 300 supporters present, teams exchanged wides before Alan McLoughlinÓgave Leitrim the perfect start as he finished expertly to the net having been put through by Danny Beck. The lead was short lived as Antrim’s Michael Pollack cooly finished an Antrim attack to the Leitrim net from close range. Kevin Conlan, with a free, and Justin Crozier, from play, exchanged points before Conor Murray and CJ McGourty, free, opened up a two point Antrim lead. Kevin Conlan(free) reduced the deficit to the minimum before Tomas McCann and Alan McLoughlin exchanged points from play. Ryan Murray and CJ McGourty both pointed from play for Antrim, either side of an excellent save by Leitrim keeper Cathal McCrann from the boot of Murray. McGourty and Darren Sweeney traded points from playbefore  Antrim opened up a four point lead courtesy of McGourty, a free, and full forward Michael Pollack from play. A Kevin Conlan free proved to be Leitrim’s last score of the half as Antrim added further points from McGourty(2) and Conor and Ryan Murray, to leave the half time score Leitrim 1-5 Antrim 1-12.

Leitrim started the second period brightly with quick points from Ronan Kennedy, both play. James Laverty steadied Antrim’s ship with a point before two points from Kennedy and McLoughlin  reduced the margin to five. McGourty and Kennedy again exchanged points and Paddy McGowan chipped in with an excellent point to reduce the deficit to four points. That was as good as it got for Leitrim, as Antrim were in control of the scoreboard. Two McGourty frees reopened a six point margin and one always felt that it would take another Leitrim goal to turn the tide. However, Kevin Conlan and Darren Sweeney did manÓge to bring matters back to four with two points. Antrim still had the upper hand and midfielder OwenÓgallagher and wing forward Paddy McBride stretched the lead out to six points with time running out. All that remained was time for Kevin Conlan to convert a free and the issue was decided.

A spirited performance from a most competitive Leitrim team that is learning its trade and next on the list is a trip to Tullamore to face table toppers Offaly on Sunday next, throw in 2pm.  

Leitrim: Cathal McCrann, Barry Prior, RonanÓgallagher, Niall Woods, Micheal McWeeney, Gary Reynolds, Sean Mcweeney, James McGrail, Darren Sweeney (0-2), Paddy McGowan (0-1), fergal Clancy, Danny Beck, Kevin Conlan(0-5), Donal Wrynn, Alan McLoughlin (1-2). Subs used: Ronan Kennedy (0-3), Thomas Mulvey, Ciaran Gilheaney.

Antrim: Chris Kerr, Connor Burke, Sean McVeigh, Declan Lynch, James Laverty (0-1), Justin Crozier (0-1), Tony Scullion, Mick McCann, OwenÓgallagher (0-1), Conor Murray (0-2), Tomas McCann (0-1), Paddy McBride (0-1), Ryan Murray (0-2), Michael Pollack (1-1), CJ McGourty (0-8). Subs used: Dermot McAleese, Matt Fitzpatrick, Paddy McAleer, Benny Hasson.

Referee: Niall McKenna (Monaghan)

02-Mar-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO