Old foes reunited as champions Glencar Manorhamilton and St Joseph's reach Sweeney Oil Leitrim LGFA SFC Final again

Glencar Manorhamilton and St Joseph's will do battle for the third year in a row in the Sweeney Oil LGFA Senior Championship Final after they came through their respective semi-finals against Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and St Mary's Kiltoghert on Sunday morning in contrasting style.

For the sixth time in the last eight Ladies Senior Championship, Glencar Manorhamilton and St Joseph's will meet in the final with the defending champions looking to win the title for the sixth year in a row while St Joseph's are appearing in a remarkable 12th final since 2010 as they reinforced their position at the top of the Ladies game in Leitrim.

Glencar Manorhamilton got off to a blistering start against Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins in Pairc Naomh Mhuire with a goal almost straight from the throw-in and further goals from Leah Fox and Roisin Rooney inside the first quarter left Ballinamore with a mountain to climb. The champions led by 13 points at the break, 3-7 to 0-3.

Ballinamore pulled back two early points in the second half but the gap was still 12 points when Glencar Manor hit three goals in a seven minute spell, two from Aoife Gilmartin and one from Leah Fox to go 22 points clear. Two goals in a minute from Ballinamore reduced the gap but the champions cruised to a comprehensive 6-13 to 2-8 victory and their eighth consecutive Final appearance since they were promoted to the top grade.

In Cloone, St Joseph's turned in a remarkable second half as they outscored a battling St Mary's Kiltoghert by 11 points to three to take the verdict 1-15 to 2-8. St Mary's got a blistering start with Aisling Leahy goaling within the first ten seconds but in a tight first half, Jessie McManus pulled back a great goal for St Joseph's only for the Carrick side to immediately hit back with a cracking goal from Hannah Reynolds.

REPORT: ANNADUFF PROVE TOO STRONG AFTER EARLY CARRIGALLEN SCARE IN SMITH MONUMENTALS IFC QUARTER FINAL

St Mary's led 2-5 to 1-4 at the break but even with some bad wides from frees, St Joseph's started to eat into the lead thanks to scores from Michelle Heslin and Bronagh O'Rourke. Michelle Guckian and Zara Cronin had points to keep St Mary's in front but when O'Rourke put over a fourth free of the second half to draw level with a little less than 12 minutes to play, St Joseph's were in the driving seat.

O'Rourke would hit four further points, three from frees, and Michelle Heslin another as St Mary's were only able to manage a solitary point from Michelle Guckian, St Joseph's running out four point winners.

In the Sweeney Oil LGFA Junior Championship, Annaduff and Keeldra Gaels will face off after they recorded big wins over Melvin Gaels and Leitrim Gaels respectively. Annaduff scored a 7-18 to 1-2 win over the Kinlough side while Keeldra had a 5-21 to 0-6 triumph over Leitrim Gaels.

Both finals are scheduled to be played on Saturday October 11, with the Senior clash of Glencar Manorhamilton and St Joseph's fixed for Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.