Leitrim do enough against London to maintain unbeaten start to 2024 League

Sometimes it is not the performance but simply the result that matters and that certainly the way most fans were talking after Leitrim registered their second win of the Allianz NFL Division 4 campaign after a dour five point win over London in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

This is not a game that will feature in the highlight reel with defensive structures and possession football dominating the contest but Leitrim got the job done, inspired by the again excellent Darragh Rooney who lit up this contest with some breathtaking scores and barnstorming runs.

In a game where both teams flooded men behind the ball, a slightly more clinical Leitrim, albeit marginally so,  did enough to win this contest but it was far from pretty against a disciplined and well drilled London side who lacked a cutting edge to go with so much they did right.

Credit Leitrim for sticking to their task - the groans and moans that greeted frequent Leitrim back-passes might have upset another team but they stuck to a gameplan that prevented turnovers and while it may have frustrated those in the stands, it certainly frustrated the Exiles who were unable to generate the momentum they needed to reel in the home side.

Admittedly, all that would have been for nought had Ryan O'Rourke not goaled 20 minutes into the first half when Leitrim actually went long with the ball. The Fenagh man's clinic finish gave Andy Moran's side much needed breathing space.

The long ball did pay dividends with the wind as another long Shane Quinn delivery into the area before halftime led to a successful free for Darragh Rooney so you could understand the frustration that a misfiring Leitrim couldn't capitalise on the wind advantage.

FANS OUT IN FORCE FOR LEITRIM'S ALLIANZ NFL CLASH WITH LONDON

Against the wind and a packed London defence, Leitrim wisely kept the ball and with Darragh Rooney's power in breaking through the tackle leading to scores, it left London needing something remarkable to get a result and Leitrim's defence held firm.

Manager Andy Moran, delighted as he rightly should be to pick up a second win of the campaign,  will have plenty to work on for the next two weeks when Wexford come to Pairc Sean, particularly shooting accuracy, but Wexford will represent a less defensive challenge and Leitrim would be hopeful of returning to their more expansive style.

London had the first shot, a poor effort from Daniel Clarke that really should have a score after just 30 seconds. With both teams pulling virtually all outfield players back into defence, chances were at a premium although Darragh Rooney opened the scoring from a free on three minutes for a foul on the St Jude’s player.

London’s Aidan McLoughlin saw an effort blocked while Joshua Obahor left a mark, some 35 yards out, well short. Evan Sweeney was first into the book with a high tackle and Cathal Lacey hit London’s third wide from a good scoring position in the first eight minutes.

Leitrim weren’t much better - Barry McNulty hit a bad wide and Jack Foley dropped his effort into the London keeper’s hands. London were still missing chances, Shay Rafter, some 25 yards out, dropped his effort into Nevin O’Donnell’s safe hands.

Conor Reynolds and Eoin Walsh traded  misses before Ryan O’Rourke’s shot drifted well wide. Lacey put another wide on 17 minutes after a good move from the Exiles.

The game  burst into life for a grateful Leitrim crowd who were growing anxious when a long bomb in, with the wind at it’s back, paid rich dividends, Barry McNulty managing to get enough of a touch to divert the ball down to Ryan O’Rourke who planted a great shot in the London net on 20 minutes.

Liam Gallagher put a free wide and Leitrim established a five point lead when Darragh Rooney and Jack Foley combined to set up Evan Sweeney for a good point. Shane Quinn again went direct, his long range shot diverted out for a Donal Wrynn fifty that was caught on the line by Matt Moynihan.

The Leitrim team who defeated London in the Allianz NFL Division 4 clash in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada Picture: Willie Donnellan

Ryan O’Rourke left an effort shot but Leitrim had to make their second enforced change after just 30 minutes, Conor Reynolds joining Jamie McGrail in leaving the action early, James Rooney and Cathal McHugh their replacements. 

With 31 minutes gone, London opened their account, a Shay Rafter free followed two minutes later by a brilliant Patrick Dolan scoring, cut past two or three defenders before side footing the ball over from the left corner, leaving a goal between the teams.

Another high ball in from Shane Quinn was caught but Matt Moynihan but the London full-back was penalised for over-carrying, Rooney converting the free to leave Leitrim with a 1-3 to 0-2 halftime lead.

That lead didn’t look particularly secure given London would have the strong wind behind them in the second half but a lovely pass found Riordan O’Rourke bursting from behind his man to turn sharply and score just two minutes in.

Leitrim looked to extend the lead but Ryan O’Rourke was dispossessed by Cathal Lacey, London going the length of the field before Lacey popped up to fire over two minutes later.

London were again creating chances but not taking them, sub Stephen Dornan shooting wide before a long range Patrick Dolan shot bounced in front of goal, hit the woodwork and was cleared by a grateful Leitrim defence.

Leitrim broke upfield where Aidan Flynn and James Rooney combined in the build-up to set up Darragh Rooney who broke through a tackle and hit a wonderful side-footed effort over the London crossbar. Four minutes later, the Kinlough man did it again, this time from the right hand corner.

That left Leitrim six points clear midway through the second half but a labouring London were still creating problems but had two wides before London claimed a Leitrim kickout to set up Lacey for a fine point with 15 minutes to go.

Barry McNulty dropped a shot short before an off-the-ball foul on Lacey allowed Liam Gallagher to cut the gap back to a four points with just over ten minutes to go. Darragh Rooney converted a free two minutes later but London were still creating chances but time was their greatest enemy.

With Leitrim not killing off the game, Liam Gallagher saw a shot hit the woodwork when he really should have found the net after a brilliant pass found him unmarked behind the Leitrim defence. Cathal Lacy fired over a free but that was as close as it got.

Leitrim finished with a flourish as a strong Barry McNulty run ended with Riordan O’Rourke firing high over the bar for the insurance point nearly four minutes into added time.

THE LAST POINT: ANOTHER VENUE TICKED OFF THE LIST

LEITRIM

Scorers: Darragh Rooney 0-5, 3f; Ryan O’Rourke 1-0; Riordan O’Rourke 0-2; Evan Sweeney 0-1

Team: Nevin O’Donnell (Shannon Gaels Cavan), Conor Reynolds (Annaduff), Donal Casey (Leitrim Gaels), Aidan Flynn(Leitrim Gaels), Jamie McGrail (Ballinaglera), Mark Diffley (St Mary’s Kiltoghert); Jack Foley (Kiltubrid); Jack Gilheaney (Fenagh St Caillins); Donal Wrynn (Fenagh St Caillins); Shane Quinn (Mohill); Barry McNulty (Glencar Manorhamilton); Ryan O’Rourke (Fenagh St Caillins); Riordan O’Rourke (Fenagh St Caillins), Darragh Rooney (St Judes Dublin), Evan Sweeney (Glencar Manorhamilton). Subs: Subs: James Rooney (Glencar Manorhamilton) for McGrail (27), Cathal McHugh (Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins) for Reynolds (32), Mark Plunkett (Aughawillan) for Sweeney (56), Radek Oberwan (Allen Gaels) for Wrynn (60)

LONDON

Scorers: Cathal Lacey (2f) & Patrick Dolan 0-2 each; Liam Gallagher (f) & Shay Rafter (f) 0-1 each

Team: Andrew Walsh; Daire Rooney, Matt Moynihan, Fiontan Eastwood: Cahir Healy, Oran Kerr, Ciaran McKeon,Ryan Tohill, Liam Gallagher; Patrick Dolan, Daniel Clarke, Aidan McLoughlin; Cathal Lacey, Shay Rafter, Eoin Walsh. Subs: Ciaran Diver for Healy (42), Stephen Dornan for Tohill (HT), Barry Tighe & Ruairi Rafferty for Clarke & Dolan (52); Ryan Tohill for Rafter (58)

Referee: Tommy Murphy (Galway)