Bruised & battered Leitrim brought crashing down to earth as Carlow go on scoring rampage

The bright optimism aroused by Leitrim’s stirring win over Longford was brutally washed away in an absolute torrent of Carlow scores in Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday as the Green & Gold’s Allianz NFL Division 4 campaign ended with one of the most dispiriting defeats the county has ever suffered in this division.

Promotion may have been a mathematically pipe-dream but the tiny band of dedicated supporters who made their way to Carlow on Sunday expected to see Leitrim build on their superb victory a week before over Longford and it seemed as if we were going to get just that as Leitrim started like proverbial trains.

Two goals from Fergal McLoughlin and Michael McKiernan were the highlights of a blistering opening 12 minutes as the Green & Gold left Carlow befuddled and bewildered, attacking their kickouts, flooding forward at blistering pace and defending with resolute zeal.

But then, it seemed as if Leitrim ran into a brick wall - Ryan O’Rourke landed two points after 12 minutes and in the opening moments of the second half but in between, Carlow simply tore Leitrim apart as they reeled off an incredible ten unanswered points and not one two pointer in it.

Suddenly Carlow were the team with momentum and confidence but it was to get worse, much worse as the home side plundered 3-11 in the second half to two solitary points for the Green & Gold, the game almost taking on the air of a challenge game for the final quarter as Carlow fans basked in the glow of a stunning victory.

THE LAST POINT: LEARNING TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

It was a stunning transformation in fortunes as Leitrim went from a team that looked sharper and more in control in those first 12 minutes to a side bereft of ideas and intensity, Carlow seemingly scoring at will as two defenders landed goals in the second half while sub Jamie Clarke banged home a goal with his first touch.

The see-saw nature of Leitrim’s Division 4 campaign has been established long before this game but this was a nadir, a 23 point mauling to rival the dark days last year against Laois, Kildare and Sligo in the League and the Lilywhites again in the Tailteann Cup but against a Division 4 team that Leitrim would have felt confident against.

The mystery of Division 4 is one for the sleuths to figure out - Longford, battered by Leitrim just a week ago, rise from the dead to pip a Wicklow team who were lucky to beat Leitrim. But Carlow, who handed Leitrim an almighty beating, were beaten by five points at the beginning of the month by Longford and then lost to London so go figure that one out!

Building this team up will take some doing - Steven Poacher’s side have demonstrated a remarkable talent for bouncing back after some disappointments already this year but Sunday’s defeat will certainly test the resolve and mental fortitude of this team ahead of the Connacht SFC meeting with a rejuvenated Sligo on Sunday April 12.

Mikey Bambrick opened the scoring just 21 seconds in for Carlow after a burst from John Murphy but despite a low Ryan O’Rourke shot being gathered by the Carlow keeper, Leitrim were soon level as Barry McNulty took advantage of slack marking, sailing by a defender to chip over on the run after four minutes.

Carlow’s decision not to go man-marking McNulty seemed ill advised when the Glencar Manorhamilton launched what looked a successful two point kick. However, the ball hit the post but Fergal McLoughlin reacted brilliantly to gather and then dodge his way past a couple of defenders to rattle the net.

The Leitrim team that was defeated by Carlow Picture: Willie Donnellan

Carlow’s response was impressive - a quick break saw Colm Hulton bear down on goal but Killian Gaffey made a great save only for Liam Gavin to force home the ball from close range. 

But barely had the Carlow cheers died down and Leitrim had the ball in the Carlow net! Straight from the kickout, Keith Keegan won possession and with four Leitrim players racing through unopposed, Michael McKiernan soloed through to blast home a wonderful goal on seven minutes.

The Manorhamilton connection saw McNulty set up Jack Kelly for a fine point on nine minutes, McNulty hitting a wide a minute later before Padraig Bolger fisted over for Carlow. Ryan O’Rourke scored a lovely point on the run but incredibly, Leitrim were unable to register another score for the rest of the half as Carlow slowly turned the screw.

Conor Doyle scored after a great run before Ross Dunphy dinked over a superb point as he was surrounded by Leitrim defenders. After two missed Leitrim chances, Dunphy added another before two points from Liam Gavin put the home side in front by the 27th minute.

Carlow turned over a Leitrim kickout for Dunphy to add another before Hulton jinked his way through for a score. Leitrim’s travails were summed up when the Green & Gold won a kickout but then sent a high bouncing ball back towards Eanna McNamara who was left exposed and Dunphy tapped over another point.

Lee Walker brought the half to a score with a fine solo point, leaving Carlow an incredible 1-11 to 2-3 in front at the break. Leitrim reacted by introducing Kieran Clancy, Paul Honeyman and Ruairi O’Rourke for the second half and they got the first break with Ryan O’Rourke tapping over an early free.

Conor Doyle replied with a Carlow placed ball but the game was over in all but name after 41 minutes when Conor Doyle’s brilliant run saw him set up wing-back John Murphy for a low finish to the Leitrim net, Doyle and Dunphy adding points with Dunphy earning a yellow card for a needless bit of taunting after his score.

Leitrim landed their second and final score of the second half after 49 minutes, Gavin Reynolds claiming a good mark to point but as Jack Kelly shot wide and Paul Honeyman experienced one of the many blocks Carlow executed, the home side simply blew a disconsolate Leitrim away.

Conor Doyle scored the game’s first two pointer before a great move ended with corner back John Phiri tapping home far too easily for Carlow’s third goal. Lee Walker added a point before Mikey Bambrick’s run ended with a pass to Jamie Clarke, his first touch prodding the ball past a helpless Gaffey on 60 minutes.

Carlow ended the game with Lee Walker adding two points, Mikey Bambrick adding his second and sub Chris Blake converting a two point free that was moved up after a Leitrim player threw the ball away in the Carlow half, ending a chastening day for the Green & Gold.

CARLOW

Scorers: Conor Doyle (2f) & Ross Dunphy 0-5 each; Liam Gavin 1-2; Lee Walker 0-4; John Phiri, Jamie Clarke & John Murphy 1-0 each; Mikey Bambrick & Chris Blake (2f) 0-2 each, Padraig Bolger & Colm Hulton 0-1 each

Team: Ben McCarron; Colin Byrne, Dara Curran, John Phiri; John Murphy, Mark Furey, Padhraig Bolger; Eoghan Ruth, Conor Doyle; Paddy McDonnell, Colm Hulton, Mikey Bambrick; Ross Dunphy, Liam Gavin, Lee Walker. Subs: Adam Burgess for Ruth (56), Niall Roche, Aaron Amond & Jamie Clarke for Murphy, Doyle & Gavin (60), Chris Blake for Dunphy (64)

LEITRIM

Scorers: Ryan O’Rourke 0-2, 1f; Fergal McLoughlin & Michael McKiernan 1-0 each; Barry McNulty, Jack Kelly & Gavin Reynolds (M) 0-1 each

Team: Killian Gaffney; Eanna McNamara, Conor Reynolds, Sean Harkin; Eoin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley, Keith Keegan; Cillian McGloin, Barry McNulty; Fergal McLoughlin, Michael McKiernan, Riordan O’Rourke; Jack Kelly, Ryan O’Rourke, Gavin Reynolds. Subs: Ruairi O’Rourke, Paul Honeyman & Kieran Clancy for F McLoughlin, McGloin & McNamara (HT), Oisin McLoughlin & Peter Prior for Kelly & Ryan O’Rourke (57)

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)