Leitrim Gaels stunning comeback shocks League champions Fenagh

The only people seemingly more stunned than Fenagh St Caillins on Saturday night in Pairc Sheain O’Laodain were the Leitrim Gaels players after they staged a remarkable comeback to shock the newly crowned League champions in the opening round of the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Championship.

Ten minutes into the second half, Fenagh led by seven points and were seemingly cruising their way to a comfortable victory against a stuttering Leitrim Gaels outfit who were struggling to make any headway against a physically strong and well drilled home side.

When David Bruen saw his shot brilliantly saved by Ryan Smith, we thought that was that and even when Shaun Chandler grabbed a goal with ten minutes of normal time left, we thought that Fenagh would surge clear over the final stages but it never happened.

History beckons but Nicholas and St Mary's keep focus on the here and now

St Mary's Kiltoghert attempt to successfully defend the Fenagh Cup for the first time ever this year but joint captain Nicholas McWeeney tells John Connolly that the focus is very much on producing a performance game by game ahead of the start of the 2023 Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship this weekend

Instead, a rejuvenated Leitrim Gaels rode their luck as Fenagh put a few chances wide and they landed fisted pointes from Jack Flynn and Jamie Rynn to tie the scores before Aidan Flynn landed a monster point over a minute into added time to snatch a famous and unlikely victory.

Fenagh had chances - Donal Wrynn saw a fifty batted out with the rebound going wide while a Riordan O’Rourke attempt to earn a draw was brilliantly blocked by former Leitrim star David Bruen, a block that consigned the new League champions to an unexpected defeat.

Just what occurred to explain the utter transformation of this contest is hard to know - the Gaels switched Conor Guckian and Colm Moreton, Guckian breaking a lot of ball in the middle of the park to break Fenagh’s resistance and then the Gaels started running hard straight at the Fenagh defence.

Truth be told, Fenagh controlled 50 minutes of this game - Leitrim Gaels did have a lot of bad wides in the second half but they were playing second fiddle for long periods before their remarkable late rally.

Fenagh almost started with the perfect opening when Daniel McLoughlin’s shot seemed headed to the net after just 20 seconds only for a block to divert it out for a fifty that Fergal McLoughlin put wide. But they didn’t have long to wait for a score as Riordan O’Rourke turned nicely to score after a minute.

The home side were scratching their heads when it appeared Tom Gilheaney was knocked to the ground after he got in behind the Gaels defence but not free was given and the Gaels went straight down the field where Shane Rynn broke the cover only to see his shot cleared off the line by Gary Butler.

Conor Dwyer’s huge long range effort was followed by a Riordan O’Rourke free on ten minutes with Leitrim Gaels opening their account thanks to a fine Brian Goldrick effort under pressure, although Fenagh hit back instantly with a mark from Riordan O’Rourke.

Fenagh find the killer blow in extra time to land Masonite Division 1 crown

FENAGH ST CAILLINS 2-12 ST MARY'S KILTOGHERT 2-10

The Gaels had a little spell of pressure but three wides and then a yellow card for Aidan Flynn for a heavy challenge on Riordan O’Rourke saw the home side go four clear after 21 minutes. But Fenagh were missing some good chances and a Stephen Goldrick free cut the gap back to three.

The Gaels did have the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a square ball infringement from Conor Guckian and Fenagh finished the half with Riordan O’Rourke firing over after a good move, leaving them 0-6 to 0-2 ahead at the halftime break.

Leitrim Gaels would have the strong wind behind them in the second half but a missed Goldrick free and a successful O’Rourke score seemed to suggest the game was going Fenagh’s way. Two more frees led to points for O’Rourke and Fergal McLoughlin as St Caillins led by seven points ten minutes into the second half.

Stubbornness from Stephen Goldrick saw him twist and turn to get away from defenders before firing over from 50 yards before a switch in tactics saw Colm Moreton win a long ball and drive a powerful shot over the Fenagh crossbar on 44 minutes.

The Gaels were starting to make headway with powerful runs but Ryan Smith made an excellent save to deny David Brien a goal on 45 minutes but the visitors didn’t have to wait too long as they worked the ball out to Shaun Chandler on the charge and he buried the ball in the Fenagh net.

That left two between the teams with neither team able to impose themselves on the game. Fergal McLoughlin put a free wide on 56 minutes and second later, Shaun Chandler broke the lines and fed Jack Flynn who cleverly fisted the ball over the bar. Barely a minute later, the sides were level when sub Jamie Rynn fisted over after a run and the game was in the balance.

Fenagh had a chance to go back in front but Donal Wrynn’s fifty was batted out by keeper Brian Cull with the rebound punched wide from close range. That close shave was taken advantage of by the Gaels as a long free broke in the middle of the park, Aidan Flynn reacted the fired over from distance after 61 plus minutes.

Fenagh would have one more chance and despite appearing to have a couple of openings, they held onto the ball until they got it to Riordan O’Rourke about 50 yards out. He wound up for the long range shot but David Bruen made a superb block and with that the final whistle sounded.

Fenagh St Caillins savour extra-time redemption against St Mary's to claim Masonite Division 1 title - GALLERY

After the heartbreak of losing last year's championship semi-final on penalties after extra time, Fenagh St Caillins extracted a measure of revenge when they beat St Mary's Kiltoghert 2-12 to 2-10 after extra time to claim the Masonite Division 1 crown in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada on Saturday evening. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan captured some great images of the crowd and the celebrations ... see who you can spot!

FENAGH ST CAILLINS

Scorers: Riordan O’Rourke 0-7, 1M, 4f; Fergal McLoughlin (f) & Conor Dwyer 0-1 each

Team: Ryan Smith, Aaron McLoughlin, Gary Butler, Eoin McLoughlin, Mark Keegan, Jack Gilheaney, Conal McGovern, Daniel McLoughlin, Donal Wrynn, Tom Gilheaney, Riordan O’Rourke, Conor Dwyer, Tony Sims, Fergal McLoughlin, Shane Smith. Subs: Caillin O’Rourke for Sims (HT); Michael Doonan M Keegan (42); Richard Heaney for D McLoughlin (46); Shane Doonan for S Smith (55)

LEITRIM GAELS

Scorers: Shaun Chandler 1-0; Stephen Goldrick 0-2, 1f; Brian Goldrick, Colm Moreton, Aidan Flynn, Jamie Rynn & Jack Flynn 0-1 each

Team: Brian Cull, Stephen McDermott, Aaron Aldridge, Ryan Goldrick, Aidan Flynn, Aaron McLoughlin, Jack Flynn, Colm Moreton, David Bruen, Shaun Chandler, Stephen Goldrick, Brian Goldrick, Eunan Treacy, Conor Guckian, Shane Rynn. Subs: Jamie Rynn for S Rynn (45)

Referee: Mark McCloskey