Mohill given almighty scare by Annaduff in Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC as results just about go according to script

What was expected to be a routine final round of group games in the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC almost became anything but as an injury time goal from defending champions Mohill prevented last year's Intermediate winners Annaduff from causing the sensation of the championship so far.

A draw for Annaduff would have been enough to see them into the quarter-finals at the expense of Leitrim Gaels who were facing neighbours and 2022 champions St Mary's Kiltoghert and with Gaels fans anxiously following the news via social media, they were left letting out a big sigh of relief as Mohill grabbed an injury time goal to beat Annaduff 3-13 to 4-8.

The results means that Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and Mohill top the table, the 2021 winners top by virtue of scoring difference, and both go straight into the semi-finals while St Mary's Kiltoghert will meet Leitrim Gaels again next week, probably Saturday as their Intermeidate team is also in championship action, and Aughawillan face Fenagh St Caillins in the quarter-finals.

It also means that Annaduff will face St Patrick's Dromahair in the relegation semi-finals while Glencar Manorhamilton and Gortletteragh, who drew in the first round of the competition, face off in the other relegation game. The losers of both games will be relegated as will the loser of the relegation final.

Annaduff got a dream start on Saturday evening at home with goals from Alan Glancy and Senan Mooney inside the first five minutes. Mohill started to reel in their hosts with a 23rd minute goal closing the gap back to two points but a third first half goal, this time from Darren Cox, gave them a 3-5 to 1-7 halftime lead.

ST JOSEPH'S CELEBRATE U15 DIVISION 2 FINAL VICTORY - GALLERY

The gap remained the same until Mohill scored a second goal 13 minutes into the second half to reduce Annaduff's lead to just two points and Eamonn O'Hara's team drew level with six minutes to go. Incredibly, Annaduff hit back again, Alan Glancy claiming his second goal to put them three points ahead but Mohill hit 1-2 to finish the game and break Annaduff hearts.

In Pairc Naomh Mhuire, a second half Brian Keaney goal proved the difference between the sides as St Mary's Kiltoghert prevailed 1-9 to 0-9 over Leitrim Gaels. The Gaels lost County U20 star Paddy Keane to injury before the start while St Mary's started without Ben Guckian, Adam Reynolds, Gavin Reynolds and Oisin Bohan. There was nothing between the sides in the first half, the home side leading 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Nine minutes into the second half came the decisive score when Nicholas McWeeney's line-break led to Brian Keaney goaling from close range. Leitrim Gaels got a boost when Brian McKenna was yellow carded for a second time three minutes later but they were never able to truly threaten their fellow parishioners who they meet again next week.

Glencar Manorhamilton went into a two point lead early on but once Tom Prior goaled after five minutes, Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins never looked back. Paul Honeyman added a second goal for the visitors as they led 2-7 to 0-4 at the break andn they stretched their lead to 12 points early in the second half.

A goal from Stephen Irwin briefly lifted Glencar Manorhamilton spirits but a Shane Moran goal eight minutes from time killed off whatever little suspense there was in the game, O'Heslins winning 3-14 to 1-8.

Fenagh St Caillins were in no mood to mess around and they had the ball in the St Patrick's Dromahair net three times inside the first ten minutes in St Osnat's. They would add a further two goals before halftime as they led 5-6 to 0-4 at the break. Dromahair had the better of it in the second half but Fenagh cruised home to a 5-12 to 1-8 victory, Dromahair's goal coming from a free.

Aughawillan will provide the opposition for Fenagh after they beat Gortletteragh 1-16 to 1-9. The first half was a tight affair with the sides level at the break before Gortletteragh edged in front after halftime and it could have been even better for the visitors but Colin Maguire saved a penalty, Gortletteragh converting the resulting 45 after six minutes of the half. 

However, Aughawillan's response was impressive as they hit an unanswered 1-8 over the next 22 minutes, Gary Plunkett getting the goal as the Willies turned up the heat. Gortletteragh did pull back a goal with two minutes left but the gap was too big at that stage as Aughawillan booked their place in the quarter-finals.