Leitrim Gaels hold off Beirne inspired Mohill comeback as Ballinamore & Aughawillan pick up first wins

Leitrim Gaels are the only team with a 100% record in the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC but it was a close run thing on Saturday night as a Keith Beirne inspired Mohill came from ten points down to almost rescue a thrilling clash in the Leitrim Gaels Community Field.

2024 County Finalists Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and their neighbours Aughawillan both recovered from five point deficits to pick up their first win of the campaign, O'Heslins' getting the better of Glencar Manorhamilton with a last gasp two pointer to secure a 0-18 to 0-17 victory while the Willies held off Melvin Gaels 1-16 to 2-9 to pick up a vital first win in the senior championship.

Also in the Smith Monumentals IFC, Drumkeerin scored a very impressive 1-18 to 1-7 victory over Kiltubrid to take over top spot in the table on scoring difference while on Friday night, St Patrick's Dromahair had an impressive 2-13 to 1-9 win over Ballinaglera to open their campaign.

But, judging from the enormous crowd, most eyes were on Leitrim Village and the clash of last year's champions Mohill and Leitrim Gaels. Both had impressive first round wins and it was Mohill who started best with two Evan Harkin points inside the first two minutes. However, Leitrim Gaels hit back with four on the trot from Ryan & Conal Jones, Donal Casey and Aidan Flynn before Matthew Murphy and Keith Keegan drew the sides level after ten minutes.

However, Leitrim Gaels took complete control of the contest with an unanswered 1-6 and even missed a penalty, Peter O'Neill making a great save to deny Stephen Goldrick from the sport. However, Shaun Chandler palmed home after an intricate Gaels move as the home side led 1-10 to 0-5 at the break.

REPORT: STALEMATE LEAVES ST MARY'S & FENAGH FRUSTRATED BUT DRAW A FAIR RESULT IN THE END

Further points from Ryan Jones & Liam Chandler after the break left the Gaels ten clear but then came Mohill's slow fightback with Keith Beirne hitting 1-8 from placed balls. Six of the points came from two pointers that were moved out as Mohill made the most of slackness in the Gaels defence but points from Garvan Jones and Shaun Chandler left four between the teams with three minutes to go.

Then Mohill were awarded a penalty after a footblock on Matthew Muprhy, Beirne converting to leave just a point in it but that was as close as they got as Leitrim controlled possession for well over two minutes before Aidan Flynn converted a final point to seal a 1-15 to 1-13 win.

In Ballinamore, the home team picked up their first win of the campaign in a hard fought battle with Glencar Manorhamilton. With Barry McNulty hitting a two pointer and scores from Evan Sweeney, Brian McDonald and jack Kelly, Manor led by five points after 25 minutes but a later surge from O'Heslins transformed that deficit into a 0-13 to 0-10 halftime lead.

The second half was equally tense as the teams traded points but Manor regained the lead with a McNulty two pointer midway through the half. It was tit for tat in the final quarter as the teams traded the lead and two two-pointers, one for either side, eventually saw Ballinamore to a 0-18 to 0-17 victory.

Aughawillan also came from five points down at halftime to record a vital 1-16 to 2-9 victory over Melvin Gaels in Aughawillan. The Kinlough men led 0-7 to 0-2 at the break but the second half saw a transformed Aughawillan surge into the lead, two two-pointers from Fergal McTague and Jamie Plunkett were followed by a Jamie Plunkett goal.

Aughawillan stretched their lead to eight points but two goals in a five minute spell for the Gaels put the game back in the melting pot with the home side prevailing 1-16 to 2-9 for their first win of the campaign.

The draw for the third round of the Connacht Gold SFC and second round of the Smith Monumentals IFC will be made on Sunday evening.