Garden County Prevails after Strange Allianz League Encounter

Leitrim 0-10 Wicklow 0-11

Thirty minutes into this Round 2 Allianz League Division 4 match in Aughrim, Leitrim were coasting after totally dominating play and Scóring at will, having built up a very healthy 0-9 to 0-0 scoreline. The Leitrim defence was cutting out any threat posed and, with flowing moves and great economy in front of the posts, the team was exercising the scoreboard operator with regularity. However, once Wicklow got off the mark as the game moved toward the interval they quickly added three further points and suddenly it was game on. As it transpired the second half momentum remained with the home side and they continued from where they left off, replicating Leitrim’s first half showing, but ultimately bettering it, by Scóring eleven unanswered points to establish the match winning lead.

In foggy, but nonetheless, very playable conditions, play swung either end at the commencement of this match before a 45 converted by Kevin Conlan opened Scóring after 7 minutes. This set the tone for a series of Leitrim points which flowed with regularity into the Clubhouse end of the grounds as Conlan doubled the advantage with a free and midfielder James McGrail’s long delivery deceived the Wicklow keeper Robert Lambert and hopped over the bar. Micheal McWeeney forayed forward to finish a fine move from the right wing and this was followed up with a Donal Wrynn pointed effort to leave Leitrim five points to the good entering the second quarter. The scores kept coming for Leitrim from Fergal Clancy, play, in between two Conlan frees as Wicklow followers must have been wondering were they ever going to raise a white flag. Little did those present realise what would ultimately unfold when Kevin Conlan pointed another free to leave Leitrim nine points clear and the homesters pointless. Wicklow eventually got off the mark with a Seanie Furlong free and this was quickly added to with further scores from Conor McGregor (free) and two points from play by Mark Kenny and John McGrath, to leave just five in at the break and it was game on.

A period of sustained Wicklow pressure in the early stages of the second half was thwarted by a determined Leitrim defence but the tide had turned in this remarkable encounter. A Conor McGraynor free eventually broke the deadlock and what unfolded was so similar in nature to the first period. Wicklow took over and the points flowed as Leitrim struggled to gain a foothold. John McGrath with a converted free and Dean Odlum from play reduced the deficit to two. Win forward Darren Hayden left the minimum between the sides before Donal Wrynn brought a full length diving save from Lambert in the Wicklow goals as Leitrim tried to stop the rot. Two pointed frees from the boot of John McGrath gave the home side the lead and while Leitrim recorded two wides around this period the advantage had swung in favour of the men in blue. Furlong, from play, pointed what ultimately proved to be the winner with Wicklow’s eleventh unanswered point. Kevin Conlan with a free reduced the margin to the minimum with time running out and while both sides had chances in what remained, it was Wicklow who took the two points at the full time whistle.

Overall, a disappointing day for the Leitrim Players and Management but nonetheless, a lesson on the learning curve for a young team building for the future heading into the Allianz League break as we look forward to the visit of Antrim to Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada in three weeks time.

Leitrim: Cathal McCrann, Micheal McWeeney (0-1), RonanÓgallagher, Niall Woods, Conor Farrell, Gary Reynolds, Sean McWeeney, Paddy McGowan, James McGrail (0-1), Shane Quinn, Fergal Clancy (0-1), Danny Beck, Ciaran Gilheaney, Donal Wrynn (0-1), Kevin Conlan (0-6). Subs used: Cian Clinton, Alan McLoughlin, Darren Sweeney, Shane Moran.

Wicklow: Robert Lambert, Chris Murphy, Paul Cunningham, Alan Byrne, Dean Healy, Ross O Brien, Aaron Murphy, Paul McLoughlin, Anthony McLoughlin, Darren Hayden (0-1), Conor McGraynor (0-2), Michael McLoughlin, Dean Odlum (0-1), John McGrath (0-4), Seanie Furlong (0-2). Subs used: Mark Kenny (0-1), Patrick McWalter, Daniel Woods, Brendan McCrea.

Referee: Niall Ward (Westmeath)       

09-Feb-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO

Honours Shared in Allianz League Opener.

Leitrim 0-15 Longford 1-12

(Photographs from the game are available on our Facebook page)

Neighbours Leitrim and Longford shared the Allianz League Division 4 points after an always entertaining and full blooded encounter in sunny, but bitterly cold Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada earlier this afternoon in front of the 1000 attendance . A match that looked to be heading the way of the home side towards the end of the third quarter, at which stage they held a handsome five points lead, was turned on its head by a spirited Longford revival, sparked by three points in as many minutes. As it turned out both sets of supporters were on the edge of their seats wondering who would take the spoils after a thrilling final quarter. At the end most would agree a draw was perhaps the fairest outcome.

After a scoreless opening period, Leitrim were first to exercise the scoreboard after seven minutes with a Paddy McGowan point. Fergal Clancy with left footed effort doubled the advantage before Brian KavanÓgh with a 35m free opened the visitors account. Kevin Conlan with a fine free from distance restored the home side’s two point cushion. An excellent Longford goal chance was spurned as KavanÓgh pulled his shot across the face of the goal and Leitrim supporters breathed a sigh of relief. A period of missed chances for both sides followed before Donal Wrynn fisted over a Fergal Clancy delivery to open a three point lead. In the 20^th minute Sean McCormack pointed for Longford to keep them in touch and shortly afterwards Paul McKeon, set up by KavanÓgh, pointed to leave the minimum between the teams. Wrynn and McGowan, with points had Leitrim 0-6 to 0-3 ahead again before an exchange of scores from Wrynn and KavanÓgh maintained the margin heading towards the interval. McCormack had the last say to reduce the margin to two as the teams headed to the changing rooms, Leitrim holding a 0-7 to 0-5 lead.

Early in the second period Aidan Rowan and Kevin Conlan exchanged points. Leitrim made a possible match winning charge and by the end of the tenth minute points from Sean McWeeney, Wrynn and Clancy had their side in a commanding position. However Longford were not to be undone and points from Michael Quinn, McCormack and Francis McGee in as many minutes had Longford breathing down the Green and Gold necks yet again. KavanÓgh with two pointed frees had the sides on level terms and it was anybodys game at this stage. With 12 minutes remaining Ciaran Gilheaney settled Leitrim nerves with point but that man KavanÓgh equalised. Fergal Clancy and Kevin Conlan opened a two point Leitrim lead but this match was far from over. Following a flowing Longford move McCormack was in onÓgoal and duly raised the green flag to give Longford the lead for the first time all afternoon as the match entered its dying minutes. Gilheaney responded with the next attack with what turned out to be the last score of this exciting encounter. There were chances for either side to claim the victory but it wasn’t to be and respective opposition had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Both management teams will probably reflect on what might have been after today’s encounter. From a Leitrim perspective, a young team with eight Allianz League debutants in action today can look forward with confidence to a competitive league campaign in the months ahead. Next week the action moves to Aughrim as the lads face Wicklow in Round 2.   

Leitrim: Cathal McCrann, Barry Prior, RonanÓgallagher, Niall Woods, Conor Farrell, Gary Reynolds, Sean McWeeney (0-1), Paddy McGowan (0-2), James McGrail, Kevin Conlan (0-3), Fergal Clancy (0-3), Danny Beck, Thomas Mulvey, Donal Wrynn (0-4), Ciaran Gilheaney (0-2). Subs used: Micheal McWeeney, Shane Moran, Cian Clinton, Matthew Murphy, Alan McLoughlin.

Longford: Paddy Columb, Dermot Brady, Barry Farrell, Peter Foy, Colm P Smyth, Diarmuid Masterson, Enda Williams, Barry Gilleran, Michael Quinn (0-1), Ronan McEntire, Paul McKeon (0-1), Aidan Rowan (0-1), Ross McNerney, Brian KavanÓgh (0-5), Sean McCormack (1-3). Subs used: Cian Farrelly, Francis McGee (0-1), Padraig Gill, Shane Doyle, Mark Hughes.

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)  

01-Feb-15 by Declan Bohan – PRO