Leitrim end 26 year wait as U20s shock Mayo in Ballinamore

Just days after the disappointment of Croke Park, Leitrim football is back on a high as they celebrate a first Connacht Championship victory over Mayo since 1998 after the County U20s defeated the Green & Red in the Eirgrid Connacht U20 Championship in Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin, Ballinamore.

On a famous day, Leitrim recorded their first Provincial win over Mayo since the U21 team beat Mayo after a replay to reach the 1998 Connacht Final to reignite their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of this year’s competition.

Despite what the scoreline might suggest, this was no ambush as a Leitrim team powered by Barry McNulty and Paul Honeyman were worth every bit of their victory, the better side for long periods as their intensity and midfield superiority laid the groundwork for a thoroughly deserved victory.

Leitrim’s ability to constrict the Mayo attack was also a key factor, restricting the previously unbeaten Mayo men to just one serious shot on goal and even then, keeper Brian Cull got a hand to put off Darragh Beirne in the first half when it seemed certain that the Mayo man would goal.

Crucially, Leitrim got the goals at the right time - Ben Guckian struck after nine minutes to settle Leitrim down after a bright Mayo opening while strikes from Paul Moran and Jack Casey in the first eight minutes of the second half gave Andy Moran’s side a breathing room that Mayo never looked like overcoming.

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Moran made a big decision to start Senior stars Barry McNulty and Jack Foley meaning they are unavailable for Sunday’s Connacht Senior clash with Sligo but the loss to the Seniors is more than offset by their contribution to this famous win, a win that gets Leitrim right back in the mix.

Leitrim now take on Sligo, who lost by four points to Galway, next Wednesday in Markievicz Park. They trail both Mayo and Galway in the table but the big two have both played a game more, leaving Leitrim in a good position to advance to the knockout stages.

Mayo took an early lead with points from Darragh Beirne (free) and Tom O’Flaherty either side of a magnificent free from the left hand corner. But nine minutes in, Leitrim signalled their intent when a long ball found Honeyman who fed a charging Ben Guckian who finished well to the Mayo net under immense pressure.

Mayo hit back with points from O’Flaherty and Niall Hurley in the next three minutes but a foul on Darren Cox as he bore down on goal allowed Honeyman to fire over a free. Barry McNulty followed up with a lovely chip on the run to stretch the lead to two points.

Leitrim had a huge let-off when Beirne missed a great goal chance following a powerful run but keeper Brian Cull did magnificently to disrupt the Mayo man’s shot, getting a hand to the ball that forced his opponent to shank the ball wide when it seemed earlier to goal.

Honeyman and Beirne swapped frees before Honeyman hit two in quick succession from play to put Leitrim four clear. However, Mayo finished the half with a surge as sub Tom Lydon hit two in quick succession and Oisin Cronin fired over from distance to leave Leitrim leading 1-6 to 0-8 at the break.

Leitrim started powerfully with Barry McNulty charging forward only for Rio Mortimer to intercept as the ball feel to Jake Tobin. Beirne tied the scores from a free but Leitrim hit back to lay the foundations for their famous victory with 2-2 in the next five minutes.

The Leitrim team who defeated Mayo in the Eirgrid Connacht U20 FC Picture: Willie Donnellan

First Paul Honeyman converted a mark before Paul Moran did exceptionally well to field a high Cox free into the area, outfielding Mayo keeper David Dolan before turning and rifling the ball to the net. Barry McNulty then followed up with a huge point as they now led by five points.

Niall Hurley hit back with a good Mayo point before Tom Lydon floated a dangerous ball across the face of the Leitrim goal but the game took another dramatic turn in Leitrim’s favour. Barry McNulty and Darren Cox did extremely well to hold onto the ball before lobbing the ball towards the Mayo goal.

Paul Honeyman was in a race with the Mayo keeper but got a vital touch, forcing the ball onto the crossbar. Fortunately, Jack Casey was on hand, with perhaps a hint of a square ball, to gather the rebound and smash the ball to the net after 39 minutes.

Leitrim led by seven points although Mayo hit back with a point each from Beirne (free) and Hurley but crucially, Leitrim were able to match their Mayo opponents almost score for score from there on without ever giving up a goal chance that Mayo desperately needed.

Honeyman hit two frees, one from 55 yards, which were matched by placed balls from Beirne. The Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins clubman also added a mark before nerves started jangling when Darren Cox was black carded for tripping a Mayo defender off the ball on 51 minutes.

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Mayo did work one goal chance, Brian Cull made a good save from Beirne but it wouldn’t have counted as the visitors were penalised for a throw-ball in the build up. Honeyman converted yet another free on 56 minutes with Beirne adding two late frees, one skinning the crossbar, but Leitrim were never truly in any danger.

LEITRIM

Scorers: Paul Honeyman 0-10, 2M, 6f; Ben Guckian, Paul Moran & Jack Casey 1-0 each; Barry McNulty 0-2

Team: Brian Cull, Arek Oberwan, Tom Hughes, Eanna McNamara, Michael McBrien, Paddy Keane, Jack FOley, Barry McNulty, Ben Guckian, Naoise McManus, Paul Moran, Jack Casey, Jake Tobin, Paul Honeyman, Darren Cox. Subs: Tom Plunkett for Casey (46); Joe McGloin for Guckian (61)

MAYO

Scorers: Darragh Beirne 0-8, 8f; Niall Hurley 0-3; Tom O’Flaherty & Tom Lydon 0-2 each; Oisin Cronin 0-1

Team: David Dolan, David Slattery, Eoin McGreal, Rio Mortimer; Diarmuid Duffy; Sean Morahan, Brendan Collins; Conal Dawson, Liam Moore, Oisin Cronin, Cathal Keaveney, Tom O’Flaherty, Darragh Beirne, Niall Hurley, Darragh Reilly. Subs: Tom Lydon for Reilly (54); Finbarr McLoughlin for Moore (34); Jack Melvin for Dawson (40); Paul Gilmore for McGreal (41); Reilly for Keaveney (53)

Referee: Aaron Clogher (Roscommon)