Leitrim’s Moran & O’Rourke thankful for luck turning their way in Wexford clash

Leitrim manager Andy Moran and hat-trick goal scorer Ryan O’Rourke were both thankful that lady luck shone with the award of a controversial penalty against Wexford in the dying moments of Sunday’s crucial Allianz NFL Division 4 clash in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

Wexford manager John Hegarty told the Wexford People after Leitrim’s 3-7 to 2-9 victory “I didn’t meet anyone, either Leitrim or Wexford, who felt it was a penalty and when you look back at the video of it, it wasn’t” after Donegal referee Mark Dorrian awarded an injury time spot kick for an apparent pull on Barry McNulty.

Leitrim manager Andy Moran felt it was a foul but admitted his team were lucky to get the decision: “We moved Barry in there, he’s done well for us in there at times and you have give us a bit of luck there and the ref gave us a bit of luck. It definitely was a foul, you could see that.

“But you don’t usually get them, I have to admit that but Rourkey still needs to put it in. He is a great lad, slotted it away, we come away with two points ….. It worked today for us, we got lucky, got the penalty, Ryan took it well, scored it and we move on with six points and yeah, we’re very happy.”

Goal scoring hero Ryan O’Rourke slotted away the penalty after providing the long ball into McNulty and admitted he didn’t have a good view of the incident: “I don’t know but just lucky with Barry in the square there, it has worked a few times. We got a goal against London as well, just a high ball in and got a bit of luck, so happy with it. There were a lot of bodies there, I didn’t get a right look at it but I’m just glad.”

Absolutely shocking decision that cost Wexford today and potentially a shot at promotion. pic.twitter.com/IjkocI6c2y

— Adrian Flynn (@Panthero84) February 18, 2024

The Fenagh St Caillins man also felt that Leitrim did not perform as they should have: "Just feel relieved. We were probably disgusted with our second half there to be honest. We nearly let it slip, a disappointing second half, we didn’t get enough scores on the board, they got back into it and we were probably lucky in the end so relieved."

And Ryan believes Leitrim must keep their feet on the ground ahead of a trip to Carlow next Sunday: "It is very early days, we’ve been here before. Carlow next week and they were on four points before this weekend and it is never an easy place to go. We’ll just keep the head down and try to learn from our mistakes today.

"Having six points at this stage is great, the way we played today, would that be good enough for the last four games? Probably not so we’ve got to keep the feet on the ground and get to work this week."

WEXFORD MANAGER JOHN HEGARTY DESCRIBES LEITRIM PENALTY DECISION AS "VERY HARD TO TAKE"

Leitrim GAA Supporters Club will charter a bus to the Allianz League Division 4 League Round 4 encounter with Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow on Sunday next, February 25, if there are sufficient numbers interested. Anybody who wishes to book a seat on the bus is advised to contact Jerome McWeeney ASAP at 0876370051. Bookings need to be confirmed by next Thursday evening latest.