Gortletteragh & Ballinaglera in relegation mire in Smith Monumentals IFC after two rounds

Relegated from the Senior ranks last year, Gortletteragh are facing a drop into the Junior ranks after they suffered a heartbreaking one point loss at the hands of Carrigallen in round 2 of the Smith Monumentals Intermediate Championship.

Gortletteragh, one of three teams relegated last year in the championship revamp, were level at halftime at 0-6 apiece at home last Saturday and went three points clear early in the second half as they looked to bounce back from their round one loss to Allen Gaels.

However, a Brian O'Rourke goal 12 minutes into the second half put the home side in front and despite a Gortletteragh point in the final minute of the game, Carrigallen held on for a famous victory.

Ballinaglera are also in the relegation battle after they suffered a 3-12 to 1-12 defeat at the hands of neighbours Drumkeerin, repeating the result of the Division 2 League game between the clubs that relegated Ballinaglera.

It leaves Gortletteragh and Ballinaglera in a dire situation as, if they do not win their respective games against Dromahair and Annaduff, they will be consigned to the relegation battle with a round still to play. The same applies for St Mary's who face a Drumkeerin side who are now joint top of the group after two games.

REPORT: GLENCAR MANORHAMILTON BEAT AUGHAWILLAN IN BATTLE OF THE TWO POINTERS

Annaduff and St Patrick's Dromahair fought out a stalemate in their Friday night clash in Annaduff, the north Leitrim men needing a late equaliser point after they led for all but the last five minutes of the game. 

Dromahair struck for a goal inside the first minute and added a second goal after 12 minutes but Annaduff steadied themselves to trail 0-7 to 2-4 at the halftime break.  

With Senan Mooney hitting six points, Annaduff slowly hauled in Dromahair but it wasn't until five minutes from time that Annaduff drew level. Sean McNabola edged the home side in front but Dromahair hit an injury time equaliser to maintain their unbeaten start to the competition.

Kiltubrid just got the better of Bornacoola in a high scoring encounter, the home side winning 4-14 to 3-14 on Saturday. Last year's Junior champions trailed 1-10 to 1-4 at the halftime break, having played into a strong wind in the first half thanks to a Damian Moran penalty.

Crucially, Kiltubrid hit a second goal just after the restart but two quick goals from Moran and Ronan Mulligan left the game in the balance but a third Kiltubrid goal put them five points clear. However, a pair of two pointers from former Leitrim star Moran left just a point between the sides entering injury time. Kiltubrid, however, took their first win with a goal on the break for a vital victory.

In the Sweeney Oil LGFA Senior Championship, Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins secured a second win when they beat Kiltubrid 2-10 to 3-5, a two point win that leaves Kiltubrid bottom of the table ahead of a huge game against neighbours St Francis and then St Joseph's.

Ballinamore are now a clear second in the table with two wins from three but face tricky ties against St Joseph's and St Mary's Kiltoghert in their final two games. 

In the ladies intermediate championship, Dromahair maintained their 100% start to the season with a hard fought 4-6 to 2-8 victory over Fenagh, a five point win that leaves them almost certainly in the semi-finals.

Drumkeerin's game against St Brigid's was played on Tuesday (yesterday) with the leaders having a rest day next Sunday with their four opponents all in action. Fenagh, without a win from three outings, must beat St Brigid's next Sunday if they are to have any hope of avoiding relegation to the Junior championship.

In the Ladies Junior Championship, Annaduff laid down a big marker with a high scoring 3-17 to 3-11 win over fellow first string team Keeldra Gaels while Leitrim Gaels beat Dromahair's second string and Melvin Gaels got a walkover from St Mary's second string.