Battling Leitrim keep promotion hopes alive with hard fought Monaghan win

Leitrim maintained their Allianz NHL Division 4 promotion push in some style in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday when they recovered from a three point deficit to run out five point winners against Monaghan after an entertaining contest.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, it appeared as if a Monaghan team, who were dominating around the middle of the field and looked just that little bit sharper, were on their way to a comfortable victory but then came a remarkable Leitrim surge that saw them outscore the Farney men 1-6 to 0-1 over the final spell.

Joe Murray’s goal with 13 minutes of normal time remaining propelled Leitrim in front, the Leitrim joint captain scoring a vital 1-10 on the day, but it was Leitrim’s hunger and desire in the final quarter that overcome some poor finishing and keeps their promotion hopes alive.

With Fermanagh playing on Sunday against Warwickshire, the win was hugely important as Mike Wall’s side meet their neighbours next Saturday in a clash that could decide who joins Louth, who beat Lancashire 0-30 to 2-10 away, in Division 3 next year.

Straight from the throw-in, Philip Burgess got Leitrim off to a flying start with a long range point just ten seconds in. With Leitrim hitting some bad wides, Niall Arthur (free) and James Slevin put Monaghan in front but Burgess scored a wonderful point from the wing to tie the scores five minutes in.

PLENTY FOR LEITRIM LADIES TO LEARN FROM ANTRIM DEFEAT SAYS GARRITY

Leitrim continued to be the more wasteful and Monaghan threatened to make them pay with two Arthur points, one a free. The ‘home’ side responded well with three Joe Murray points in a seven minute period with one in response from Arthur, Murray’s point from play a lovely score on the turn.

A long range Clement Cunniffe broke out to Stephen Goldrick for a point before another Murray free left Leitrim two to the good after 23 minutes. But Monaghan and Arthur in particular hit form with four unanswered points from placed balls in a four minute spell to go two clear.

Burgess scored a nice point from play, matched by a good Arthur point from play. Conor Hackett then intercepted to set up Michael O’Brien for a great score from the wing but Longford responded with a James Slevin point just before the break.

The last score of the half fell to Joe Murray, from a free, as Monaghan led 0-11 to 0-10 at the break, a lead they quickly extended to three points with two Arthurs’ frees inside the first five minutes of the second period, although the Farney freetaker missed what looked a simple effort.

The Leitrim team who defeated Monaghan in the Allianz NHL Division 4 clash in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park Picture: Willie Donnellan

Joe Murray (free) and Michael O’Brien hit two crucial scores to keep Leitrim in touch but when Niall Garland scored two in the space of a minute to reopen a three point gap after 15 minutes of the second half, it looked as if a more energetic Monaghan were starting to pull away from the Green & Gold.

Crucially, Monaghan didn’t build on their lead and two Murray frees midway through the half had the game back in the melting pot. Wides and misses were killing Leitrim’s chances with Murray and O’Brien hitting wide while sub Dhani Keane missed a great goal chance after being put through on 56 minutes.

However, a goal did come when Murray picked up a break about 40 yards from goal - the Leitrim joint captain showed the Monaghan defenders a clean pair of heels as he soloed away before slamming the ball to the net for a crucial goal.

Now energised, Leitrim stretched the lead with a fabulous sideline point from Philip Burgess, a wonderful score that put Leitrim three up. Niall Garland landed a point after a long range free was batted out.

Leitrim ensured there would be no late heartbreak when Clement Cunniffe beat out an Arthurs’ shot after the Monaghan man pulled down a high ball and beat three defenders. Leitrim went straight down the field only for Murray to see his effort saved by keeper Hugh Byrne, an earlier infringement allowing Murray to tap over a free.

The game ended with Leitrim pulling clear thanks to a fine Philip Burgess point after an interception before Joe Murray capped a fine individual display with a great point from the wing. Monaghan tried to engineer a late goal but Leitrim stood firm to run out five point winners.

LEITRIM

Scorers: Joe Murray 1-10, 8f; Philip Burgess 0-5; Michael O’Brien 0-2; Stephen Goldrick 0-1

Team: Clement Cunniffe; Mark McHugh, Conor Hackett, Kevin Clerkin; Tommy Taylor, Martin Feeney, Adam Gavigan, Philip Burgess, Joe Murray; Michael O’Brien, Sean O Riordan, Stephen Goldrick; Gavin O’Brien, James McNabola, Paul Lenehan. Subs: Pearse Kenny for Taylor (14); Dhani Keane for McNabola (32); Dylan McDermott for O Riordan (65); Senan Keane for O’Brien (72)

MONAGHAN

Scorers: Niall Arthur 0-11, 1 65, 7f; Niall Garland 0-3; James Slevin 0-2

Team: Hugh Byrne, Paudie Heavin, Aaron Kenny, Conal McHugh, Conor Boyle, James Slevin, Pauric Malone, Conor McHugh, Oisin Hagan, Emmet Walsh, Niall Garland, Rowan McMahon, Shane Slevin, Niall Arthur, James Brady. Subs: Eoghan Hoey for Conor McHugh (54); Enda Brady for Hagan (67)

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly)