Championship & League winners in big trouble as Fenagh secures Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC knockout spot with victory over Mohill

The current holders of the Leitrim Senior Championship and Division 1 League titles are facing into huge relegation trouble after Fenagh St Caillins inflicted a hard fought five point defeat on reigning County Champions Mohill on Saturday evening while Melvin Gaels look destined for the relegation final after a heavy defeat at the hands of Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins.

In the Smith Monumentals IFC, Drumkeerin maintained their strong start of the championship with a six point win away to neighbours and fierce rivals Ballinaglera on Saturday evening while Annaduff and St Patrick's Dromahair stay in second spot after they both drew on Friday. There were also first wins for Carrigallen and Kiltubrid with Gortletteragh and Ballinaglera both without a win.

A big crowd congregated in Pairc Seain O'Laodain to witness a fascinating if somewhat underwhelming at times 0-19 to 0-14 Fenagh St Caillins victory over Mohill. With the strong wind dictating the pace and direction of this contest, Keith Beirne's kicking skills were on full exhibition as he hit all of Mohill's seven first half points, five from placed balls that included two two-pointers and another two pointer from play.

With Fenagh, without an injured Oisin McLoughlin, struggling against the wind, three unanswered points from Tom Gilheany, Daniel McLoughlin and Ryan O'Rourke (free) proved huge scores as the hosts trailed 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. Two quick Donal Wrynn (50) and Colm McLoughlin points tied the scores inside two minutes but Keith Beirne and Fiachra McGuinness kept the visitors clear. Ryan O'Rourke & Beirne traded two point frees as the sides were tied at the three-quarter-way mark.

But in a powerful final quarter, Fenagh started to exploit both the wind and their pace with Ryan O'Rourke & Fergal McLoughlin landing three points each with Riordan O'Rourke also on target as Keith Beirne hit 13 points, 11 from placed balls, as the champions suffered their second loss of the campaign.

REPORT: LEITRIM GAELS SEND OUT A VERY LOUD MESSAGE WITH VICTORY OVER ST MARY'S

Melvin Gaels are almost certainly in the relegation final after their 5-17 to 1-11 loss at the hands of Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins in Ballinamore. The Kinlough men might still avoid a relegation battle if they inflict a heavy defeat on Fenagh in the final round along with defeats for St Mary's, Aughawillan and Mohill.

In the Smith Monumentals IFC, Drumkeerin maintained their perfect start to the competition with a 3-12 to 1-12 victory over neighbours Ballinaglera. The Drumkeerin men defeated their neighbours in the final round of the Division 2 League to relegate Ballinaglera and they followed up on with a six point win in St Hugh's Park.

Annaduff and St Patrick's Dromahair fought out a thrilling 0-13 to 2-7 draw in Stanley Cox Park in Annaduff on Friday evening. Dromahair got off to a blistering start with two goals inside the first quarter but Annaduff, still without Darren Cox, fought back to trail 2-4 to 0-7 at the break. Thet hosts took the lead for the first time with a Sean McNabola free in added time but Dromahair fought back for a draw.

Both Kiltubrid and Carrigallen bounced back from first round defeats in round 2 with Kiltubrid prevailing by just a goal against last year's Junior champions Bornacoola, 4-14 to 3-14, while Carrigallen pipped Gortletteragh 1-8 to 0-10. That result leaves Gortletteragh, Ballinaglera and St Mary's Kiltoghert, who face favourites Allen Gaels on Sunday afternoon, without a win.

The weekend's results so far are as follows:

Connacht Gold SFC

• Aughawillan 1-18 Glencar Manorhamilton 0-24
• Leitrim Gaels 1-20 St Mary’s Kiltoghert 0-14
• Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins 5-17 Melvin Gaels 1-11
• Fenagh St Caillins 0-19 Mohill 0-14

Smith Monumentals IFC

• Annaduff 0-13 St Patrick’s Dromahair 2-7
• Gortletteragh 0-10 Carrigallen 1-8
• Ballinaglera 1-12 Drumkeerin 3-12
• Kiltubrid 4-14 Bornacoola 3-14