O'Rourkes go on scoring rampage as Fenagh pick up first win

The devastating double act of Riordan and Ryan O'Rourke went on a scoring rampage on Saturday night in Pairc Sean O'Laodain as Fenagh St Caillins picked up their first of the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Championship with a comprehensive dismantling of an outclassed Gortletteragh.

The immense conditioning of the League champions, their power running game and strength all over the field was something a game Gortletteragh simply couldn't cope with as the home side cruised to an 18 point victory that was incredibly their first of the campaign after a loss to Leitrim Gaels and a draw with Mohill.

Cousins Riordan and Ryan O'Rourke were the instruments of torture as their movement and finishing ability had Gortletteragh chasing shadows, their constant movement and ability to pop up in the right spot exploiting expertly by a well drilled Fenagh side who dominated possession all around the field.

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It wasn't the most competitive game but not that Fenagh will care - they have picked up their first win and even a draw next weekend against neighbours Aughnasheelin or Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins, their only two possible opponents, would be enough to see them into the quarter finals.

Gortletteragh are officially consigned to the relegation playoffs as they can only catch Aughnasheelin who have the head to head against them - they showed sparks that they could trouble teams of a similar standard but up against a team like Fenagh, they were just too far off the pace.

Francie Flynn opened the scoring for Gortletteragh and despite a nice Ryan O’Rourke point seconds later, the visitors were making a good impression with Jack Heslin gathering a long Flynn pass down the wing before cutting in to point.

However, when Heslin dropped a shot short, Fenagh worked the ball up the field with Eoin McLoughlin providing the final pass for Conor Dwyer to fist the ball to the net. When that goal was followed quickly by two Riordan O’Rourke points, it looked as if the floodgates were opening.

But Gortletteragh hit back, Francie Flynn floating the ball across the face of the Fenagh goal for Keoghan McGovern to fist to the net and suddenly there was a point between the team after 11 minutes.

However, any hopes Gortletteragh had of creating a shock were ruthlessly snuffed out as Riordan O’Rourke and Donal Wrynn replied with points before a strong Fergal McLoughlin run released Riordan O’Rourke, a neat sidestep led to a clinically finished goal and a six point lead.

Two Flynn frees but the gap back to four points but that was as close as it got as Fenagh reeled off five points before halftime from Ryan O’Rourke (three frees), Wrynn and Fergal McLoughlin as the league champions led 2-10 to 1-4 at the halftime break.

Gortletteragh had the first chance of the second half through Oisin Niblock but by the time, they did score seven minutes in through Flynn, Fenagh had landed four more points through Riordan O’Rourke, Fergal McLoughlin and Ryan O’Rourke, one from a free.

A third Fenagh goal started when Caillin O’Rourke intercepted a promising Gortletteragh move that ended with Mark Keegan finding Ryan O’Rourke who off-loaded to Riordan O’Rourke for a close range finish.

Francie Flynn pulled back a point but it was nearly all one way traffic as Ryan O’Rourke, Riordan O’Rourke (3) and Mark Keegan landed points. Eoin Ward got one back for Gortletteragh with Flynn adding a free.

Conor Dwyer and sub Shane Smith added points either side of a Barry Tiernan mark as Fenagh cruised to their first win of the campaign.

O'Heslins edge titanic struggle to leave Aughawillan in relegation dogfight

AUGHAWILLAN 1-11 BALLINAMORE SEAN O'HESLINS 2-9

FENAGH ST CAILLINS

Scorers: Riordan O’Rourke 2-6, 1f, Ryan O’Rourke 0-7,6f ; Conor Dwyer 1-2; Donal Wrynn & Fergal McLoughlin 0-2 each; Mark Keegan & Shane Smith  

Team: Ryan Smith, Richard Heaney, Gary Butler, Sean Keegan, Mark Keegan, Jack Gilheany, Eoin McLoughlin, Daniel McLoughlin, Donal Wrynn, Tom Gilheany, Riordan O’Rourke, Caillin O’Rourke, Ryan O’Rourke, Fergal McLoughlin, Conor Dwyer. Subs: Michael Doonan for Heaney (HT); Aaron McLoughlin for Doonan (45); Tony Sims & Shane Smith for Ryan O’Rourke & C O’Rourke (51); Aaron Smith for Riordan O’Rourke (57)

GORTLETTERAGH

Scorers: Francie Flynn 0-6, 6f; Keoghan McGovern 1-0; Jack Heslin, Evan Ward & Barry Tiernan 0-1 each

Team: Niall Tiernan; Ryan Cunningham, Colm Duffy, Gerard Campbell, Eamon Reynolds, Niall Woods; Evan Ward; John Reynolds; David Mulvey; Oisin Niblock; Keoghan McGovern; Francie Flynn; Brendan Naughton; Jack Heslin; Nathan Ward. Subs: Cian Mulvey for McGovern (44); Tom Og Crowe for Naughton (57)

Referee: Vincent McMorrow