Defiant Leitrim keep Allianz NFL Division 4 hopes alive with dramatic Laois victory

With their backs against the wall, Leitrim produced their best performance for some time as they hit two massive injury time points to secure an absolutely vital victory in a rain swept Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada over Allianz NFL Division 4 leaders Laois that keeps their promotion hopes alive.

Andy Moran's side had to win, a draw would not have sufficed and it looked as if Laois were going to end the Green & Gold's promotion dreams for yet another year when they recovered from a five point deficit to take the lead with 15 minutes to go but then Leitrim dug deep to score a dramatic victory that had the home fans in raptures.

With the crowd going wild in the main stand, Leitrim went two up with ten minutes to go thanks to points from a Keith Beirne free and a wonderful Jack Heslin score but Laois fought back and two classy placed balls from Paul Kingston got them level, a result that would have ended Leitrim's league ambitions.

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With Leitrim missing a few chances, perhaps the occasion getting to them, Evan O'Carroll put a long range free wide that would have put the visitors in front with time almost up but then Mark Plunkett fired over a monster free to send the Leitrim fans wild in the stands.

Paul Kingston shot wide after keeper Nevin O'Donnell batted a shot from Patrick O'Sullivan clear from under his crossbar before Leitrim surged up the field where three consecutive fifties from Keith Beirne ended when his third and final effort flew just inside the left hand post to put Leitrim two up.

At this stage, Leitrim were down to 13 men after a second yellow card for Shane Quinn and a black card for Conor Reynolds but despite working a high ball into the area and Laois winning possession, a massed Leitrim defence stood firm with Keith Beirne grabbing the ball and booting it clear just before the final whistle sounded to spark off wild celebrations.

This was a truly special Leitrim performances - Andy Moran, who had shipped a lot of criticism from fans after the Wicklow defeat, made three chances to the team that started in Aughrim. In a surprise move, Jack Heslin dropped to the bench with Evan Sweeney coming in while Adam Reynolds and Nevin O'Donnell replaced Conor Farrell and Darren Maxwell.

Leitrim's Evan Sweeney charges in to set up Leitrim's first goal against Laois Picture: Willie Donnellan

Even more surprising was the switch of Donal Wrynn to full-forward with Keith Beirne moving out to the 40 but Moran's switches worked a treat with Evan Sweeney delivering a man of the match performance in the corner, setting up Leitrim's first goal while Wrynn's aerial ability on the edge of the square was something Laois couldn't get to grips with.

Pearce Dolan's blistering run from the throw-in at the start of the second half landed him one of those 'once in a lifetime' goals as his shot hit the post before going in to put Leitrim five points up at the start of the second half. It was a vital score as Laois then took over the contest, hitting six unanswered points to take the lead.

Here again, Andy Moran must take a bow as he brought Jack Heslin, Tom Prior, James Rooney and Barry McNulty off the bench in the space of ten minutes and the changes added energy to a wilting Leitrim, setting up the dramatic denouement that keeps Leitrim's promotion hopes alive.

If Leitrim beat Sligo next and Laois beat London and Wicklow beat Waterford, all four teams could end up on ten points and then it would come down to scoring difference - at present, Leitrim have the best scoring difference but Laois and Wicklow could make big inroads into that advantage if they win big in their games.

Laois got off to the better start with two points inside the first 90 seconds, Evan O'Carroll setting up Mark Barry for a point after 20 seconds before Paul Kingston put over a free after an off-the-ball foul. Leitrim had a real let off when Barry fisted a bouncing ball into the side-netting with only Nevin O'Donnell to beat after two minutes.

Donal Wrynn, operating at full-forward, claimed a mark from a Paddy Maguire ball and converted while Aidan Flynn saw a shot drift wide in the wind. Laois went two up again when Kingston converted a free for another off-the-ball foul on ten minutes but Leitrim went straight down the field where Mark Plunkett scored from distance.

Evan Lowry scored an excellent point on 11 minutes but Leitrim's good start and the early blistering form of Evan Sweeney was rewarded when he won a long ball, beat his man and delivered a great pass across the goal for Keith Beirne to virtually tap to the net unopposed.

The excellent Sweeney quickly added a point after good work from Donal Wrynn while Aidan Flynn saw a point disallowed for over-carrying. Laois hit back with two points from Mark Barry, one from a free, but two Keith Beirne frees restored the two point gap after 25 minutes.

Shane Quinn used the win to great effect when he finished off a patient Leitrim move by curling the ball in over the bar before Barry and Beirne swapped frees. Paul Kingston and Beirne them swapped frees before Evan O'Carroll held off a defender to score just before halftime to leave Letirim 1-8 to 0-9 ahead at the break.

Shane Quinn celebrates with some young Leitrim supporters after the victory over Laois Picture: Willie Donnellan

With the game finely balanced, Leitrim got a dream start to the second half when Shane Quinn drove through on a loose ball from the throw-in and released Pearce Dolan. With Keith Beirne charging ahead of him, the Aughawillan man kept going before unleashing a shot that hit the inside of the right hand post and landed in the net for a perfect start for Leitrim.

Laois' response was impressive as they reeled off six unanswered points over the next 15 minutes to take a one point lead. Mark Barry scored from a tight angle before wing-back Brian Byrne chipped over from almost on the endline but crucially he didn't spot teammate Damon Larkin steaming through the middle unmarked in front of goal.

Kingston added a free before an O'Carroll run from the corner saw him find Barry for another point ten minutes into the second half. Kingston then scored from play, gathering a low pass on 50 minutes to tie the scores and a minute later, Sean O'Flynn's strong run released Barry for a fine point from a tight angle and the lead for Laois.

The calm before the storm

THE LAST POINT

Crucially Laois suffered a blow when the influential Kevin Swayne went off injured and Leitrim sub Jack Heslin made a strong run down the middle before finding Keith Beirne who claimed a good mark under pressure, firing over on 55 minutes to tie the scores. Another foul on Beirne saw him edge Letirim back in front a minute later as Laois indiscipline was costing them.

Laois cleverly worked a long free into Evan O'Carroll who scored from the right corner to tie the scores again but another Beirne free, moved in yet again for dissent, saw Leitrim back in front. Leitrim made two switches after the free, Barry McNulty and James Rooney coming on and the Glencar Manorhamilton duo made an instant impact.

First McNulty made a great interception from Scott Osborne's kickout before feeding Rooney who broke a tackle to set up another sub Jack Heslin for a great point.

Laois' response was quick - Paul Kingston fired over a free that was moved in for dissent and after Beirne missed from distance, Kingston claimed a mark over his shoulder and then first over with less than six minutes of normal time left. 

Leitrim were rushing their shots with Heslin, Shane Quinn and Beirne all missing chances before the home team's chances took a major blow when Shane Quinn was booked for a second time. However, from the fifty yard free, Evan O'Carroll left his effort short and off-target.

Leitrim launched another high ball in towards the Laois goal - somehow Donal Wrynn managed to work the ball to James Rooney who held off fierce Laois defensive pressure to get the ball out to an unmarked Mark Plunkett and he drilled a 40 yard effort over the bar in added time to enormous cheers from the Leitrim fans.

Laois came looking for an equaliser with Patrick O'Sullivan's effort batted out by the defence and Paul Kingston firing wide from close range in a real let off for Leitrim.

Leitrim then won a sideline ball and after Keith Beirne's first two efforts were deflected wide, he drilled the third effort over the bar to put the home side two up.

Then came a serious injury for Eoin Lowry in an off-the-ball tussle that led to a black card for Conor Reynolds. The game was held up for almost six minutes before Lowry was stretchered off the field leaving Leitrim down to 13 men. Laois worked the ball up the field with Sean Greene before Patrick O'Sullivan lobbed a ball into the goalmouth.

The ball broke for Laois but they were unable to get a clear sight of goal with the entire Leitrim team back in the area, Keith Beirne making an interception before booting the ball clear to spark wild Leitrim celebrations.

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LEITRIM 0-10 LONGFORD 0-9

LEITRIM

Scorers: Keith Beirne 1-7, 1 50, 1M, 5f; Pearce Dolan 1-0; Mark Plunkett 0-2; Shane Quinn, Evan Sweeney & Donal Wrynn (M) 0-1 each

Team: Nevin O'Donnell, Adam Reynolds, Conor Reynolds, Mark Diffley, Domhnaill Flynn, Shane Quinn, Aidan Flynn, Pearce Dolan, Paul Keaney, Paddy Maguire, Keith Beirne, Darragh Rooney, Mark Plunkett, Donal Wrynn, Evan Sweeney. Subs: Jack Heslin for Keaney (49); Tom Prior for Sweeney (57); Barry McNulty & James Rooney for D. Flynn & D. Rooney (59); Conor Farrell for A Reynolds (63)

LAOIS

Scorers: Paul Kingston (5f, 1M) & Mark Barry (2f) 0-7 each; Evan O'Carroll 0-2; Brian Byrne & Eoin Lowry 0-1 each

Team: Scott Osborne, Sean Greene, Trevor Collins, Robert Piggott, Sean O'Flynn, Mark Timmons, Brian Byrne, Kieran Lillis, Damon Larkin, Kevin Swayne, Paul Kingston, Patrick O'Sullivan, Eoin Lowry, Evan O'Carroll, Mark Barry. Subs: Paul Kirwan for Swayne (53); Brian Daly for Lillis (69 - blood); Lillis for Daly (72 - blood), Daly for Lowry (75)

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)