THE LAST POINT: Celebration, regret and hope in one weekend

Pairc Sheain Ui Eslin, Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens and Markievicz Park were my three venues over the weekend, a sort of gaelic games magical mystery tour that leaves me somewhat bemused at the contrast between the venues and a bit confused over the feelings of joy, celebration and regret the three journeys brought to the surface.

Two losses in the AIB Connacht Club Championship easily explain the regret - Melvin Gaels and Bornacoola both lost to Sligo opposition, both by similar margins but the feelings in both camps are subtly different with the Kinlough men failing to ever truly get going in Ballinamore on Saturday while Bornacoola went down fighting to the bitter end.

But, for a change, I'll start with the celebration and joy that was the presentation of the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland and Connacht Intermediate Championship medals to Leitrim's all conquering ladies team in the Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens last Saturday night, an occasion to celebrate a wonderful achievement and a chance to honour some fantastic ambassadors for our small county.

It was also a night for stars of club and county with the Player of the Year awards being presented on the night and it is not hard to imagine the young players who picked up awards for 2023 and 2024 being inspired as they witnessed Leitrim's heroes receive their Connacht and All-Ireland medals to rapturous applause.

With 2024 swiftly coming to an end and a new League campaign fast approaching, this was one final opportunity to celebrate a remarkable journey that ended with glory in Croke Park - a final chance for players, family, management and officials to come together as one unified group for, in all likelihood, the last time ever.

THE LAST POINT: PJ'S SPARK GREW INTO A FIRE IN 1994

Jonny Garrity mentioned in his speech how Saturday's event might be the last time this group will all come together as a group - that's the nature of sport and, indeed, life, nothing stands still and things change. 2025 will see some new faces join the group and some depart the team with the Bruen sisters and Aine Redican set to go travelling the world so Saturday evening was a special event for a team whose bond only deepened thanks to their small numbers and the challenges they overcame in 2024.

That bond, the unshakeable spirit that saw them prevail in so many close and titanic struggles on their way to lifting the Mary Quinn Cup last August, was evident on the stage all evening so while it is the end of an era, I'm inclined to think this group, much like John O'Mahony's 1994 heroes, have forged a bond that will last their lifetimes.

If there was a little regret in Lough Rynn, it was that there wasn't a much bigger crowd there to pay tribute to an All-Ireland championship winning Leitrim team - imagine the bedlam securing tickets to the medal presentation had the men's team won a Connacht title, let alone an All-Ireland title, but that just seems to be the way it goes unfortunately.

Oddly, that seemed to make the event that bit more personal, more the vibe of a family gathering than a formal occasion and certainly Leitrim's heroes got to celebrate with each other and their families, all of whom seem to have become surrogate parents, brothers and sisters to the Green & Gold Ladies team and maybe that was the perfect way to celebrate a year that they will never forget.

So a final congratulations to Leitrim Ladies - there are still a few more rounds of celebrations yet to be had - Charlene Tyrell and Michelle Guckian are up for the TG4 LGFA Intermediate Player of the Year Awards and there are sure to be other events that honour the heroes of 2024 but for now, the focus turns to the unfinished business of the League, starting just two months away in the middle of January.

For Melvin Gaels & Bornacoola, the future is, no doubt, also very much on their minds - both won coveted Leitrim Championship title this year but the events of Saturday in Ballinamore and Sunday in Markievicz Park will probably linger in the mind for quite some time and how that translates into motivation for 2025 is going to be crucial for both clubs.

The Bors probably feel a bit better about themselves - they went toe to toe with Ballymote Round Towers, the Sligo lads were that little bit more clinical and landed three killer goals as a Damien Moran inspired Bornacoola fought with all their might to stay with them.

Bornacoola face a big step up for the 2025 Intermediate championship and they'll face big challenges in blending in youth to supplement the veterans that are still key to their team but looking at the work going on in the club thanks to their combination with Gortletteragh in Rinn Gaels, they look in a good place for the future so there is certainly hope.

THE LAST POINT: CALM FINALLY DESCENDS AFTER THE STORM

For Melvin Gaels, there is hope with a young emerging team but the vibe is somewhat different - they started in Markievicz without four of their Intermediate Final team, virtually an entire wing of their team, leaving  them in a huge hole straight away. Add in the fallout from the departure, by mutual consent, of manager Aiden Murray, after his dismissal in the aftermath of the Leitrim Intermediate Final and subsequent 96 week suspension, and all that noise and turmoil can't have helped the mood around the camp.

Put all that together and you can understand why Melvin Gaels lacked the drive we usually associate with them against a tremendously young Eastern Harps side, the oldest of whom was 26 years old and who played with a caution that was probably informed by the Kinlough team's remarkable Lazarus-like recovery against Allen Gaels. It wasn't that the Gaels weren't committed but there was just a little edge lacking and Harps were convincing and comfortable winners.

That leaves Mohill as Leitrim’s last man standing in Connacht and that's why there is more hope - Padraig Pearses are formidable but Mohill, experienced and driven, have met all challenges head on and will do so again next Sunday in Ballinamore. They're up against it but Mohill will relish that, no better team to upset the odds.