Leitrim were handed the draw from hell in last nights All-Ireland SFC Qualifier draw, when they were paired with Dublin.

With the losing provincial semi-finalists facing the winners from round 1 of the Qualifiers, Leitrim could have face any of eight teams, including neighbours Longford. However, Leitrim and Dublin were the last two names out of the hat and will face each other in Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday evening. Throw-in time will be confirmed later today.

Tyrone v Down
Meath v Fermanagh
Galway v Louth
Cork v Clare
Waterford v Longford
Wexford v Offaly
Cavan v Derry
Leitrim v Dublin

 

 

28-Jun-04 by Paddy Reilly

Leitrims Connacht Senior Football Championship hopes for 2004 were ended on Saturday evening in a stormy Hyde Park where the lost 1-09 to 0-5 to Roscommon.

In a poor game, Leitrim held on until after half-time, but a RoscommonÓgoal nine minutes into the second half ended Leitrims challenge. Leitrims cause was further damaged when John McKeon was sent off striking home full-back Michael Ryan. Leitrim shall now move into the All-Ireland Qualifiers, while Roscommon will face Mayo in the Connacht Final.

Leitrim: G. Phelan, D. Reynolds, S. Quinn, M. McGuinness, N. Gilbane, J. McKeon, B. Prior, D. Maxwell, C. Carroll, J. Goldrick (0-1), J. Guckian (0-1), C. Regan, D. Brennan, F. McBrien (0-1), M. Foley (0-2, 1f). Subs: S. Canning for Maxwell (HT), P. Farrell for Brennan (52 mins), D. Kennedy for Goldrick (52), D. Lynch for Gilbane (58), B. Brennan for McBrien (63).

Roscommon: S. Curran, J. Whyte, M. Ryan, J. Nolan, E. Towey, F. Grehan, D. Casey, S. O Neill, S. Lohan, G. Cox (0-2), J. Hanly (1-1), D. Connellan, G. HenÓghan, K. Mannion, F. Dolan (0-3, 2f, 1 45 ). Subs: J. Dunning (0-1) for HenÓghan (24 mins), J. Tiernan (0-2) for Connellan (HT), J. Rogers for Casey, B. Higgins for Cox (67), D. O Connor for Hanly (72).

 

 

27-Jun-04 by Paddy Reilly

Barry Prior gave Leitrim a well-deserved draw against Roscommon in a thrilling Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final in Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday.

A capacity crowd of 14,517 at P?irc Se?n MacDiarmada began to think they were watching a shock Leitrim victory with only ten minutes to go, when the hosts opened up a two point lead. However, Roscommon responded with points from Francie Grehan, Frankie Dolan and Seamus O Neill, before Prior had to save the day for Leitrim in injury time.

Leitrim trailed for most of the game after early Roscommon scores opened up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. By half-time, the visitors led by just two, 0-7 to 0-5. Points from Gary Cox and Francie Grehan stretched the lead to four points soon after the break, but after a mix-up in the Roscommon penalty area, Michael Foley duly slotted the resultant penalty to close the gap to one point.

Leitrim stepped it up a gear after that goal, with further points from substitute Pat Farrell and Foley to move into a 1-7 to 0-9 lead. Frankie Dolan levelled for the visitors before Leitrim looked to have taken control with points from Declan Maxwell and another substitute Shane Canning to leave them two ahead.

However, Roscommon remained calm and three points in succession left Prior to save the day for Leitrim.

The replay will take place at 18:30 in Hyde Park on Saturday next, 19th June 2004.

Leitrim: G. Phelan, D. Reynolds, J. McKeon (0-1), M. McGuinness, N. Gilbane, S. Quinn, B. Prior (0-1), D. Maxwell (0-1), C. Carroll, J. Goldrick (0-1), J. Guckian, C. Regan (0-2), D. Brennan, F. McBrien (0-1), M. Foley (1-1, 1-0p, 1f). Subs: S. Canning (0-1) for Guckian (40), J. Clancy for Brennan (45), P. Farrell (0-1) for Goldrick (46), N. Doonan for McBrien (56).

Roscommon: S. Curran, J. Whyte, M. Ryan, J. Nolan, D. Casey, F. Grehan, A. McPadden, S. O Neill, S. Lohan, B. Higgins, F. Dolan, G. Cox, N. Dineen, K. Mannion, G. HenÓghan. Subs: J. Rogers for McPadden (HT), J. Dunning for Dineen (42), J. Tiernan for Goldrick (56), E. Towey for HenÓghan (66).

 

 

20-Jun-04 by Paddy Reilly

The team for Leitrim’s Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final against Roscommon on Sunday 20th June is as follows:

1. Gareth Phelan
2. Dermot Reynolds
3. John McKeon
4. Michael McGuinness
5. Niall Gilbane
6. Seamus Quinn
7. Barry Prior
8. Declan Maxwell
9. Christopher Carroll
10. Johnny Goldrick
11. Jimmy Guckian
12. Colin Regan
13. Donal Brennan
14. Fintan McBrien
15. Michael Foley

 

 

16-Jun-04 by Paddy Reilly

Leitrim captured their first Connacht Junior Football Championship title since 1962 after a nail-biting final in Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday evening. Michael Foley and Jimmy Holohan were inspirational for Leitrim who led 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time.

Early in the second half, Leitrim extended their lead to five points, before Roscommon started to push forward strongly in the last ten minutes. A late goal for Roscommon left the Leitrim supporters on the edge of their seats, but Leitrim held on to record the victory.

Photographs from the match are available in the gallery.

Leitrim: Kevin Ludlow, John McWeeney, Barry Prior, Barry McWeeney, David Duignan, Pauric McGarry, Francis Holohan, Daniel Lowe, Dermot Kennedy, Johnny Goldrick, Donncha Lynch (0-1), Michael Foley (0-7, 4f), James Glancy, John McGuinness, James Holohan (0-3). Subs: Jimmy Guckian (0-1) for John McGuinness, Ciaran Kennedy for John McWeeney, Pauric Flynn for Barry Prior, Noel Doonan for Johnny Goldrick.

Roscommon: Darren Lennon, Denis Gavin, Brian McNeela, Robbie Kelly, Stuart Daly, Ian Kilbride, Sean McDermott, Michael Finneran, Roch Hanmore, Cormac Sheehy (0-4), Enda Kenny, Martin Connolly, Darragh Blaine (0-1), Paul Moran, Jarlath Egan (0-3). Subs: Enda Barratt for Brian McNeela, Ross Nolan for Paul Moran, Mark O’Carroll for Michael Finneran, Garvan Dolan (1-0) for Martin Connolly, Paul Freeman for Robbie Nolan.

 

 

16-May-04 by Paddy Reilly

Leitrim’s Junior team will face Roscommon on Friday evening in Carrick-on-Shannon in the Connacht Junior Championship Final. After an impressive victory over Mayo last Friday evening on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-09, the home side managed by Martin McGowan, with selectors Jimmy Holohan and Brian Breen, will be hoping to pick up the first piece of silverware for the year.

Throw-in is at 7pm and your support for this final would be appreciated.

 

 

12-May-04 by Paddy Reilly

Leitrim ended their Allianz National Football League Division 2A campaign with a poor performance against neighbours Roscommon.

Roscommon needed to win by a landslide to have any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, but found to find themselves trailing 0-02 to 0-04 at half-time to a Leitrim side helped by two excellent Declan Maxwell side. With a strong wind behind ithem after the break, Roscommon were the better team and pushed forward to outscore Leitrim by 0-09 to 0-01, with Leitrim’s only point in the second period coming from a Michael Foley free fifteen minutes after the break.

Roscommon: S. Curran, J. Nolan, M. Ryan, P. Noone, D. Casey, F. Grehan, J. Rogers (0-1), S. O’Neill, B. Higgins, J. Dunning (0-2), J. Hanley, R. Cox, N. Dineen (0-1), K. Mannion, F. Dolan (0-4). Subs: S. Lohan (0-2) for B. Higgins, G. HenÓghan (0-1) for R. Cox, J. Tiernan for J. Hanley, E. Towey for P Noone.

Leitrim: G. Phelan, D. Reynolds, M. McGuinness, B. Prior, M. Greene, J. McKeon, D. Kennedy, C. Carroll, D. Maxwell (0-2), J. Goldrick, P. Farrell (0-1), P. McGuinness, J. McGuinness, D. Brennan, M. Foley (0-2). Subs: J. Guckian for D. Brennan, N. Doonan for P. McGuinness, C. Regan for J. McGuinness.

 

 

07-Apr-04 by Paddy Reilly

Leitrim barely grabbed a draw against Monaghan in Clones after Scóring three unanswered points in the last five minutes. The game lacked a competitive edge, because both sides were unable to make the play-offs.

Monaghan took the lead for the first time late in the first half and led 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time. As has so often been the case recently, Michael Foley accounted for all four of Leitrim’s first-half points – with three coming from frees.

Monaghan added another two points soon after the break, but couldn’t add another until the 60th minute. Both teams squandered chances, but Leitrim stuck with it and got a deserved draw when Seamus Quinn, JohnÓgoldrick and Michael Foley scored late points to level the match.

Monaghan: P. McElroy, D. McDermott, J. Coyle, Ed. Lennon, D. Duffy, F. Doogan, J.P. Mone, Eo. Lennon (0-1), J. Hughes, N. Corrigan, P. Finlay (0-4), D. Clerkin, T. Freeman (0-1), R. RonÓghan, D. Freeman (0-2). Subs: D. McArdle for J. Hughes, S. McManus for R. RonÓghan, K. Tavey for N. Corrigan, S. McGeough for F. Doogan, C. Flanagan for J.P. Mone.

Leitrim: G. Phelan, D. Reynolds, M. McGuinness, B. Prior, M. Greene, J. McKeon, D. Kennedy, C. Carroll, D. Maxwell, D. Lynch, P. Farrell, J. Goldrick (0-5), J. Glancy, J. Guckian, M. Foley (0-5). Subs: S. Quinn (0-1) for J. Guckian, N. Doonan for D. Lynch, P. McGuinness for J. Glancy.

 

 

22-Mar-04 by Paddy Reilly

Leitrim were on the wrong end of a thrashing on Sunday in Carrick-on-Shannon when midlanders Offaly were the visitors. Backed by a strong breeze, Offaly opened the Scóring and had five points on the board after ten minutes without a response from the home side. Leitrim battled back before half-time and trailed 0-3 to 0-7 at the break.

However, playing into the breeze in the second half, the visitors adapted their style of play to a short passing game and continued on their rampage. A goal from Roy Malone midway through the second half finally killed off the Leitrim challenge. An injury-time goal from Alan Mulhall completed the rout for Offaly, who now lie second behind Donegal in the Division 2A table, while Leitrim drop to sixth. The final score was 2-10 to 0-04.

Leitrim: G. Phelan, D. Reynolds, J. McKeon, M. McGuinness, M. Greene, N. Kilbane, B. Prior, C. Carroll, P. Farrell (0-1), B. Brennan, D. Lynch, N. Doonan, J. McGuinness, S. Quinn, M. Foley (0-3, 2f). Subs: C. Regan for B. Brennan, J. Guckian for P. Farrell, P. McGarry for N. Doonan.

Offaly: C. McNamara, S. Sullivan, C. Evans, S. Brady, B. Mooney (0-2), C. Daly, K. Slattery (0-1), C. McManus (0-2), A. McNamee, R. Malone (1-0), P. Kellaghan (0-1), C. Farrell (0-1), J. O’Neill (0-1), N. McNamee (0-1), J. Reynolds (0-1). Subs: J. Hurst for S. Sullivan, C. Quinn for A. McNamee, A. Mulhall (1-0) for C. Farrell, R. Guinan for J. O’Neill, B. Malone for K. Slattery.

 

 

15-Mar-04 by Paddy Reilly

Last Monday’s Masonite Senior Football Championship draw has thrown some up some exciting groups, with some teams receiving a significantly more difficult path to the Championship final.

Champions St. Mary’s will be hoping to qualify from Group 4, most likely along with Allen Gaels and ahead of last year’s Senior B winners, Sean O’Heslin’s. Carrigallen will feel that they could cause an upset, but Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher will really struggle to make an impact.

2003 Runners-up St. Caillin’s make their way through to the quarter-finals from Group 1 along with 1999 Champions Glencar/Manorhamilton, with Ballinaglera, Annaduff and Cloone hoping for a shock victory against one of the big two to squeeze through.

Group 2 is arguably the weakest group, with Bornacoola, Aughawillan, Mohill, Kiltubrid and Drumkeerin all in with a fair chance of making it the quarter-finals, where they’ll meet the qualifiers from Group 1.

However, Group 3 will be the Group of Death with Melvin Gaels and Aughavas, Champions from 1998 and 2000 respectively, being thrown in alongside perennial contenders Gortletteragh and League Champions Drumreilly. Indeed, this is third year in a row that Gortletteragh will face Drumreilly. Adding to the tension, Aughavas Manager PJ Carroll was in charge of Gortletteragh last year! One really has to feel sorry for Aughnasheelin who finished pointless at the bottom of their Championship group last year before finishing bottom of Division 1A.

To add to the difficulties on the latter side of the draw, the winners and runners-up of Group 3 and Group 4 will face each other in the quarter-finals. Certainly, any team on this side of the draw will would be deserved Champions should they be lifting the silverware next autumn.

Full details of the draw are available on the Championship section. Dates for al games will be announced shortly.

 

 

28-Feb-04 by Paddy Reilly

Declan Rowley has left one vacancy in the Leitrim team to face Clare in Ennis on Sunday. Seamus Quinn moves to midfield, Colin Regan moves back to defence and Donal Brennan returns at left corner-forward. There’s one vacancy at right-half forward.

Team: G. Phelan, M. McGuinness, J. McKeon, D. Reynolds, B. Prior, N. Gilbane, C. Regan, C. Carroll, S. Quinn, AN Other, P. Farrell, J. Guckian, M. Foley, S. Canning, D. Brennan.

 

 

13-Feb-04 by Paddy Reilly

Leitrim suffered their first loss in the 2004 NFL campaign in Cloone on Sunday last, with neighbours Donegal leaving with the points. Donegal forwards Adrian Sweeney and Brendan Devenney wreaked havoc on Leitrim’s defence, Scóring 2-6 of Donegal’s tally between them. Leitrim were holding out well until two second half goals in as many minutes effectively ended the contest.

Early in the second half, Leitrim shocked the visitors with a bizarre Michael Foley goal after a mistake by Donegal goalkeeper Tony Blake to trail by only a point with 40 minutes played.

However, Donegal’s superior quality shone through in the end with goals coming after 53 and 55 minutes, followed by a hat-trick of points to kill off the weak Leitrim challenge.

Leitrim:
G. Phelan, M. McGuinness, J. McKeon, D. Reynolds, N. Gilbane, S. Quinn, B. Prior, S. Canning, C. Carroll, C. Regan, P. Farrell (0-1), M. Foley (1-4), J. McGuinness, F. McBrien, J. Guckian. Subs: J. Goldrick for F. McBrien, N. Doonan for J. McGuinness, M. Greene for N. Gilbane, D. Kennedy for P. Farrell.

Donegal: T. Blake, N. McCready, R. Sweeney, E. McGee, S. Carr, B. Monaghan, K. Cassidy, P. McGonÓgal (0-1), B. Boyle, B. McLoughlin, M. Hegarty (0-1), B. Roper, J. McCafferty, A. Sweeney (1-2), B. Devenney (1-4). Subs: C. Toye for B. McLoughlin, C. McFadden for J. McCafferty, J. Gildea for B. Boyle, J. Haran (0-1) for B. Roper, B. Dunnion for N. McCready.

 

 

09-Feb-04 by Paddy Reilly