All to play for in final round of Masonite Leitrim ACL
Masonite ACL reaches thrilling final weekend as double winning former Mohill manager Eamonn O'Hara takes over in Sligo with Dessie Sloyan
Three clubs battle for two places in the Division 1 Final next Friday, August 1, with Fenagh St Caillins, St Mary's Kiltoghert and Leitrim Gaels all in contention for final spots as the Masonite All County Leagues come to a conclusion.
With promotion and relegation yet to be decided in all three Divisions, only four of the 23 clubs taking part in the final round of games have nothing at stake - Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins in Division 1 and Drumreilly, Cloone and Glenfarne Kiltyclogher in Division 3.
Depending on results, all eight teams in Division 2 are either battling for promotion or against relegation, some at the same time while Division 1 will see a fierce relegation battle go down to the wire. It makes for a dramatic final round of games on Friday with so much at stake with the championship due to start on the weekend of August 15-16.
In other news, former double winning Mohill manager Eamonn O'Hara has joined up with his former Sligo teammate Dessie Sloyan as new joint managers of the Yeatsmen, the Sligo County Board announced last night.
The Tourlestrane clubman led Mohill to their first ever successful defence of the Fenagh Cup in 2024 as well as five titles with his club and he and Sloyan will be joined by former Donegal star and 2012 All-Ireland winner Eamonn McGee as a coach and selector. Sloyan managed the Sligo U20 team to Connacht success in 2022 and was recently part of the Longford senior set-up under Paddy Christie. He also managed his own club Easkey and is currently part of the Knockmore coaching ticket in Mayo.
Speaking to local media at their unveiling, O’Hara said “Personally, it means an awful lot to me, obviously for my club too. We’ve all aspired to play for your club and then your county, we’ve all been very lucky to be able to do that at the highest level. Now to come through and into club, underage and now senior management. It’s very special.
"It’s a very unique thing for anybody. We don’t take this for granted. I know I’ve interviewed before, may have been offered it in certain circumstances but now it’s a perfect fit. It’s a dream come true to be quite honest, to represent and manage your own county. We’re living that dream. We’re not going to take it for granted. We’re here to do a job but it’s very special for me and my club.”