Champions Glencar Manorhamilton prevail after epic battle with Kiltubrid

After a battle royal last Sunday  in Kiltubrid, Glencar Manorhamilton eventually overcame a very determined home side to win their second Gotham Dry Wall LGFA SFC clash on the trot but only after being pushed to the limit.

With the Kiltubrid pitch holding up well after hosting three games in five days and torrential downpour on Sunday morning, Glencar Manorhamilton needed every bit of their experience to hold off Kiltubrid.

It didn't start well for Glencar Manor as Roisin Rooney was sin-binned just three minutes into the game for playing without a gum shield as Kiltubrid, who played with the advantage of the breeze, deservedly led by three points at the break.

This was a ding dong battle that pitted probably the two top teams in the SFC against each other - wouldn’t be a surprise to see them meet in the County Final. Ailbhe Clancy and Leah Fox stood out while Emma Guckian and Michelle Guckian did Trojan work for Kiltubrid. But Muireann Devaney's contribution to Glencar Manor's winning performance was vital.

Glencar Manor levelled early in the second half but when Michelle Guckian hammered home a second goal, Kiltubrid looked to be in the driving seat. However, sub Amelie McGrath turned the tide for the champions with a crucial goal.

ST MARY'S CELEBRATE HISTORIC LEITRIM LGFA MINOR 15-A-SIDE FINAL SUCCESS - GALLERY

Three minutes in, Glencar Manor's Roisin Rooney received a ten minute spell in the 'sin bin' for playing without a gum shield. The opening score came six minutes in when Muireann Devaney pointed a free after a foul on Grace Devaney. A minute later Muireann Devaney doubled their lead with  her second free within  60 seconds.

With both teams snuffing out the opposing forwards, Michelle Guckian opened Kiltubrid's account on 17 minutes but  Leah Fox hit back with a  point in the following minute.

Kiltubrid claimed the lead for the first time in the showdown when  Guckian rifled an unstoppable shot to the net on 22 minutes following Sarah McCormack's pass.

Ailbhe Clancy levelled matters when she fired over the first point of the morning. But the lead was claimed back  for Kiltubrid when Michelle Guckian shot a well taken 27th minute point.

Kiltubrid  increased their advantage  when Niamh Tighe pointed after  a Riona McKeon pass before McKeon got on the scoresheet herself to leave Kiltubrid 1-4 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

Just 40 seconds into the second half, Muireann Devaney tapped over a free after a foul on Grace Devaney and over the next two minutes,  Muireann  shot two points on the trot to get Glencar Manor back on level terms for the second time in the contest. But Kiltubrid regained the lead when Michelle Guckian, who was closely marked, blasted a 38th minute piledriver to the net.

Five minutes later, Glencar Manor hit back with their first goal - a fast break that exposed Kiltubrid's defence as sub Amelie McGrath drilled a low shot past Kiltubrid goalkeeper Emma Heeran following Ailbhe Clancy's pass.

Glencar Manor grabbed the lead almost immediately when Leah Fox split the posts and  Kiltubrid had a let off  when Ailbhe Clancy drove a  goal chance inches wide. A minute later Kiltubrid keeper Emma Heeran made a timely save from a Muireann Devaney goal bound shot when Heeran deflected Devaney's effort out for a '45.' 

Leah Fox put Manor a two point ahead when she fired over on the 49 minute mark but Michelle Guckian reduced the deficit to the minimum three minutes later with a well taken point.

LEITRIM PLAYER SCOOPS PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD

Glencar Manor started to up their game a few gears put more daylight between themselves and Kiltubrid by the 57th minute. Ailbhe Clancy hit three on the trot to open up some clear daylight but Manor's advantage was dramatically cut to the minimum in the 59th minute when Michelle Guckian drilled a 13 metre pile driver free to the  net.

Glencar Manor's response, however, was devastating as within  60 seconds, they broke downfield at pace and Leah Fox  rifled home a goal.

Two minutes later Muireann Devaney fired over the game's last point to ensure Glencar Manor's second  win on the trot after her side had been led a merry dance by a never say die Kiltubrid outfit for the previous 59 minutes of the game.

GLENCAR MANORHAMILTON

Scorers: Muireann Devaney 0-6, 2f; Leah Fox 1-3; Ailbhe Clancy 0-4, 2f; Amelie McGrath 1-0

Team: Michelle McNulty; Annette Foley, Lauren Devaney, Laura McCann; Melissa Hewitt, Rebecca Rooney, Karen Connolly; Aoife Gilmartin; Anna Devaney; Megan Rooney, Ailbhe Clancy; Grace Devaney; Leah Fox, Muireann Devaney, Roisin Rooney. Subs: Amelie McGrath for McCann (36); Chloe Rooney for G. Devaney (51)

KILTUBRID

Scorers: Michelle Guckian 3-3, 1-0f; Niamh Tighe & Riona McKeon 0-1 each

Team: Emma Heeran; Laura Redican, Sinead Tighe, Clodagh McGrail; Sarah McCormack, Lauren Tivnan, Orla McWeeney; Riona McKeon, Michelle Guckian, Katie Browne; Aisling McWeeney, Claire McWeeney, Niamh Tighe. Subs: Riona McKiernan for A. McWeeney (51); Leah Gilmartin for O. McWeeney (54)

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo)