Anger dominates social media reaction to Leitrim's Connacht SFC exit at hands of New York

New York may be the darlings of the GAA world right now after their historic first ever Connacht Senior Championship victory on Saturday but for Leitrim GAA fans, the fallout on social media from the Green & Gold's penalty shootout loss has been angry and bitter.

While many Leitrim fans congratulated New York on their ground breaking achievement that came after extra-time ended level at 0-15 apiece, there was considerable anger that the Green & Gold had lost the game with many calling for Andy Moran to step down as manager.

BREAKING: NEW YORK BEAT LEITRIM ON PENALTIES FOR HISTORIC FIRST EVER CONNACHT VICTORY

NEW YORK 0-15 LEITRIM 0-15 (AET) - NEW YORK WIN 2-0 ON PENALTIES

Former Laois footballer and Smaller Fish podcast host Colm Parkinson remarked on Moran's tenure with Leitrim:

Andy Moran is not having a good time as Leitrim manager.
2 unsuccessful promotion attempts. Scraped over London last year in Championship, lost to Sligo at home in Tailteann and now loses to New York.

Terry Hyland had a much bigger impact, they seem to have slipped backwards

— Smaller Fish GAA (@SmallerFishGAA) April 9, 2023

However, that view was contested by Emmet Mahon.

His media buddies will patronize us and tell us he's doing a great job. Quit telling us what to think about our team. This is Leitrims best squad in a long time. Should have gained promotion with that team. Last night is the lowest point in our bleak history.

— Emmet Mahon (@mahawn23) April 9, 2023

Crossmaglen's former All-Ireland club winner Aaron Cunningham was not impressed:

As much as New York GAA should be praised and congratulated, Leitrim GAA should be embarrassed and ashamed. And the standard of penalties kicks was atrocious too. #gaa #nygaa

— Aaron Cunningham (@AaronCunns11) April 9, 2023

Cunningham also added:

That Leitrim performance is probably the worst performance in GAA history. #gaa

— Aaron Cunningham (@AaronCunns11) April 9, 2023

Ronan Ward was brutally brief in his assessment:

P45 Andy. Lost on the line #embarrassing

— R O N A N | W A R D ‍ (@ronanward) April 9, 2023

That view found little support from some who posted on social media with Colm Clarke from Aughnasheelin writing on Facebook: Great tough hard game, fair play to new York, they had the same chances off the spot as leitrim, every single lad was out on his feet, hats off to both teams for a great match and congratulations to new York on their first win, it had to come some time and unfortunately tonight it was at leitrims expense... bring on the talteann Cup! 

Mike Feeney of the Leitrim Supporters Club wrote on Facebook: "Tough night for Leitrim. All genuine supporters will applaud the effort. As for the knockers, ask yourself what have I done to help the cause."

However, there were more brutal putdowns with Des Blessing writing on Facebook: "Same old story with Leitrim, in my 60 years following them, they never win, its not hard luck they are just useless" while Gearóid O Cheilleachair wrote "The only man that hasn’t done his job, Andy Moran. I’m afraid he was a major mistake two years ago."

Also on Facebook, Ballinamore's Joe McGovern wrote: "It looks like the mayo curse has now arrived in Leitrim, that's 3 must win games lost by the minimum ( sligo 2) and now this there were others as well) has mayo written all over it , the good thing is that it gives them a full month to prepare properly for the tailteann, without matches to interfere, Should be ready for it then they will get over this in a few days."

Ann Wynne was enthralled by the excitement of the game: "Best game I’ve watched for a long time. Leitrim played a great game when they had possession but it just wasn’t their time. Good Luck New York and better days to come for Leitrim" but her post on facebook was met with a scathing assessment from Ballinamore's Padraig McKeon who replied "Ann Wynne are u for reel leitrim were second fiddle to new York better in the challenges and deserved there win."

Leitrim's Mick McWeeney was not impressed either, writing "Wait and see new York's result the next day out.... That'll tell you exactly where Leitrim are...don't think it'll make for good viewing... " while Trina Ni Chrinn wants a change of manager: "Good... maybe if Andy Moran did less talking off the pitch and concentrated more on it, they'd win more. No confidence in these lads on the pitch, new manager simple.."

However, there was also significant pushback against the backlash: Declan Kelly wrote on Facebook: "Hard luck lads, all REAL Leitrim GAA supporters are so proud of each & every one of yee & the effort you put in this evening & the effort you put in to prepare for this game that was always going to be very difficult   keep your heads up & move on now to the Tailteann Cup & ignore any gob$hites who love to live in a world of negativity."

Leitrim Village's James Whitney wrote "Watching the game was exciting from start to finish, New York deserved the Win on the day and hats off to them. Leitrim had there chances but I applaud each one of these men who practice, travel long distances to training, and spend a fierce amount of time away from their families for the pride to play for there county. On to the next one and Thanks to the entire team and coaches for your pride and commitment to representing Lovely Leitrim!!"

John Reynolds wrote on Facebook: "Hard luck to all Leitrim lads, disappointing result, but huge effort by all players, always going to be tricky assignment, a lot of young talent coming through and important to stick together and hopefully get a run in Tailteann Cup."

Others comments on Twitter included:

Mayo man showing the Leitrim lads how to lose something you probably should have won. Feel sorry for Leitrim Gaa and the money they will have spent but a fantastic win for @NewYorkGAA and all the Galway contingent involved including Johnny Glynn as captain

— Finnster (@finnster1977) April 9, 2023

Leitrim must be devastated after been beating by New York. They don’t need gobshites tweeting abuse at them. NY had ran a few Connacht teams close in the past. Shock had to happen sometime. Congrats to NY btw. Hope Leitrim can regroup for the Tailteann cup. #leitrimgaa #GAA https://t.co/6pgNInkrzZ

— Diarmuid (@DD2705) April 9, 2023

The most exciting game of shite football I’ve ever seen. Congrats New York the celebrations on the field agreed were great to see.

— Brian McVeigh (@Flavio_Dingus) April 9, 2023

I will always remember where I was for 9//11 and I’ll always remember where I was when New York bet Leitrim @RTEgaa @NewYorkGAA @LeitrimGAA

— Colin Harte (@colinharte) April 9, 2023

Wow the reaction here is terrible. Full of clowns who wouldn't back a man never mind a county. Back your own or you'll never do anything

— James Shelly (@Shellzer85) April 9, 2023

Was chatting to a Leitrim GAA man during the week, reckoned they were being set up for a fall in NY, he was right

— Vincent Reynolds (@vinnie_reynolds) April 9, 2023

Failure to win promotion from Division 4 and now the first manager ever to lose to @NewYorkGAA in the championship. Signs aren't good for Andy Moran alright. No good for his long-term goal of managing Mayo either

— MC (@mcrossie10) April 9, 2023