Champions Mohill lay down a marker against emerging Glencar Manorhamilton in Connacht Gold SFC Quarter Final

Rumours of Mohil's demise appear to be greatly exaggerated as the reigning Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC champions turned in a power packed second half display to brush aside the challenge of an emerging but inexperienced Glencar Manorhamilton in Saturday's Quarter-Final clash in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

It wasn't all plain sailing for the champions as the youthful exuberance of a Glencar Manorhamilton side who look poised to become a major force in the coming years caused them untold problems in the first half. But, given that they were playing against a deceptively strong wind in the first half, the fact that Mohill went in a point to the good at the halftime break meant the writing was on the wall of the challengers.

Many will point to Keith Beirne's goal three minutes into the second half as the decisive score but in truth, a two pointer from play from the former County star six minutes later was probably more important as Glencar Manor had reacted brilliantly to the goal, Jack Kelly firing over a free followed by two point Barry McNulty free out on the wing wiping out Beirne's goal.

But no sooner had the cheers died down for McNulty's massive two pointer than Mohill worked the ball to Beirne and, under fierce pressure, he lamped the ball over the bar for a score that virtually ended Glencar Manor's hopes there and then - the north Leitrim kingpins would not score for the remainder of the contest while Mohill added five more points to comfortably cruise into the semi-finals.

What really stood out was the gulf in experience - a Mohill team well used to these occasions as they look to complete a three-in-a-row controlled the game and in Conor Quinn, Keith Keegan, the Harkin brothers, Alan Armstrong, Ryan Bohan, Keith Beirne and Fiachra McGuinness, they had a wealth of experience that saw them play the game on their terms, dictating and controlling the game down the stretch no matter what was thrown at them.

BOOST FOR LEITRIM GAELS AS FORMER LEITRIM CAPTAIN DAVID BRUEN BACK IN THE FOLD

The Champions appear to be hitting form at just the right time as this was, by far, their most accomplished performance of the championship and while there were times they were exposed in the first half, Mohill held firm and nobody will relish coming up against them in the semi-finals.

For Glencar Manorhamilton, there is so much to take from this run - a side with an average age of 21, they are considerably younger whilie the wise old heads of Evan Sweeney, Brian McDonald and James Rooney are removed, certainly marking them down as a team to watch in the coming years.

Jack Kelly had two wides for Glencar Manorhamilton in the early stages with Keith Beirne opening the scoring from a third minuten free. However, Glencar Manor were showing no fear and two simple but deadly effective Jack Kelly points, cutting in from the corner, had the challengers in front after six minutes, a lead increased when Patrick Montgomery reacted quickly to a rebound off the post to score.

Three minutes later, the sides were level - Domhnaill Flynn might have grabbed a goal when he blasted the ball over while Alan Armstrong played a one-two with Matthew Murphy to score. A Beirne free followed to edge Mohill in front after 12 minutes before Flynn added his second from a well worked move in the corner.

Glencar Manorhamilton weren't lying down with Kelly firing over although Beirne then had a couple of wides while there were some half-hearted shouts for a penalty when he fielded a high ball, cut inside the defence and went to ground in a challenge with keeper Shaun Sheridan. Referee Mark McCloskey waved away any penalty claims and Glencar Manorhamilton went down the field, winning a free that was moved forward to enable Barry McNulty fire over a two point free.

Beirne hit his first two point free on 23 minutes before adding a lovely point from the corner to open up a two point gap that was wiped out when Barry McNulty hit a great two pointer on the run. It looked as if the sides would be deadlocked going into the break but a brilliant Conor Quinn pass found Matthew Murphy for an excellent point that left Mohill 0-9 to 0-8 in front at the break.

Both sides had early chances in the second half - Beirne saw a two point free hit the woodwork and go wide while a last gasp block prevented Patrick Montgomery shooting for goal. Mohill broke up the field and carved open a chance but Shaun Sheridan made a great catch to prevent a certain goal.

However, the goal did arrive seconds later - Conor Quinn's long delivery towards the Manor goal, benefitting with that wind, saw Keith Beirne travel quite a distance but showing great timing to rise above Sheridan and divert the ball to the net.

Manor were shook but reacted well, Kelly and McNulty (two point free) landed points from placed balls to wipe out the goal after 38 minutes but that was their last score of the game. Keith Beirne landed a monster two pointer under pressure after a Domhnaill Flynn pass and then tapped over a free after Fiachra McGuinness was fouled following a magnificent high catch.

SUPER SUNDAY ON THE CARDS AS FIXTURES REVEALED FOR CONNACHT GOLD SFC QUARTER-FINALS

Wides started to creep into the game but the big moments seemed to be coming mainly from Mohill - Keith Keegan made an incredible Aussie Rules style catch from a Peter O'Neill kickout and Beirne landed another two point free. Jordan Reynolds, on as a sub, then went on a mazy run before firing over a point after 52 minutes.

Glencar Manorhamilton went direct in a bid to get the goal they needed but with Conor Quinn patrolling the area and making some great catches, the chance never came and the scoring ended when McGuinness fired over after Reynolds did great work in keeping a quick sideline ball in play, a goal briefly on but McGuinness quite happy to take his point.

MOHILL

Scorers: Keith Beirne 1-10, 7f; Domhnaill Flynn 0-2; Alan Armstrong, Matthew Murphy, Jordan Reynolds & Fiachra McGuinness 0-1 each

Team: Peter O’Neill, Ryan Bohan, James Mitchell, Adam McGuinness, Eoghan Duignan, Sean Harkin, David Mitchell, Conor Quinn, Alan Armstrong, Domhnaill Flynn, Keith Keegan, Evan Harkin, Matthew Murphy, Fiachra McGuinness, Keith Beirne. Subs: Jordan Reynolds for Murphy (47); Caillin Canning for Armstrong (57); Donal Duignan for D Mitchell (60)

GLENCAR MANORHAMILTON

Scorers: Barry McNulty 0-6, 4f; Jack Kelly 0-4, 1f; Patrick Montgomery 0-1

Team: Shaun Sheridan; James Hughes, Tom Hughes, Joe McEvoy; Luke Farrell, James Rooney, Gavin O'Hagan; Barry McNulty, Bailey McBride, Patrick Montgomery, Evan Sweeney, Cathal Óg O'Connell; Brian McDonald, Stephen Irwin, Jack Kelly. Subs: Dylan McDermott for Montgomery (35); Declan Byrne for Irwin (43); Ryan Gilligan for O’Hagan (49); Cathal Curneen for McDonald (57)

Referee: Mark McCloskey