ALL-IRELAND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS B FOOTBALL FINAL
LEITRIM 0-15
LIMERICK 1-8

A four point victory for Leitrim doesn't even come close to telling the story of this game. A magnificent Limerick goal, some fine saves, some excellent points, a missed Leitrim penalty and two Limerick red cards in the dying stages were all part of a game which Leitrim controlled for the majority of the 60 minutes.

The four schools that combined to make up the team (Drumshanbo VS, Carrigallen VS, Lough Allen VS and Mohill Community College) brought together players from all parts of the county and beyond and it was evident this was a competition the players and management had taken seriously.

The training they put in meant they all looked very familiar and comfortable with one another.

The addition of the Mohill contingent to the Vocational Schools team has obviously transformed the fortunes of this team, making them by far the strongest at B level in the Province.

After the match one of Leitrim's managers, Jimmy Guckian felt his players had been better in every position and that was an argument that was hard to disagree with. All over the pitch Leitrim had outstanding performers with Shane Beirne and Brian Mulvey among Leitrim's star performers.

Although Limerick opened the scoring through Stephen O'Brien's fourth minute free, Leitrim responded well with two points in as many minutes.

Conor Beirne opened Leitrim's account in the fifth minute before turning provider a minute later to create an opportunity for Shane Quinn which was duly taken.

Just as Leitrim seemed to be beginning to assert their dominance on the game, Limerick replied with a fine goal.

Michael Brosnan was picked out by a long searching ball which deceived the Leitrim defence and his shot, which was either a strike of genius or a mis-hit, flew from the right of the goal about 10 meters out and sailed over goalkeeper Emmet Higgins before dipping under the crossbar.

Understandably that goal took the wind out of the Leitrim sails but they remained toe to toe with their opponents over the next seven minutes while they regained their composure.

Pointed frees from Brian Mulvey and Conor Beirne were cancelled out by Limerick's Mike O'Flynn and Kevin Noonan as the Munster champions maintained their two point lead.

With the game beginning to open up, Leitrim began to play with more freedom and came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Conor Beirne picked out Shane Quinn. Unfortunately for Leitrim, Quinn's shot was expertly saved by Limerick goalkeeper Fergal Cassidy.

For the remaining 10 minutes of the half Leitrim raised the tempo and as they attacked at will, it was evident their self-belief was growing.

A Conor Beirne pointed free was followed by a Brian Mulvey point after a cleverly worked free.