This is the sort of win people will remember for 20 years – Poacher​

Emotions were running high and the celebrations on the Markievicz Park pitch last Sunday were unrestrained as Leitrim celebrated a first Connacht SFC victory over a home based county since 2011, leaving manager Steven Poacher and captain Ryan O’Rourke understandably over the moon!​

​The Leitrim manager was delighted with his side's performance, when he spoke to the media after Leitrim’s dramatic 3-15 to 1-20 victory over Sligo in the Connacht Senior Championship last Sunday.

Poacher exudes passion for the game. While many outside the Leitrim camp might have doubted that this win was achievable, Poacher never had any doubts! “We knew we were going to win. This is the sort of win people will remember for 20 years. Results like this just don't happen. This was down to hard work. We went on a three day training camp and gave up our Easter break for it.”

Poacher then spoke of the special bond he has with his players. “I love those lads. They are a young group who deserve recognition. Everyone of them was amazing today. We had six U20's there today. What a future this county has if this panel sticks together,” he commented.

The Down native went on to praise the composure of his side: “This is a young group of players. Some of the scores today were as good as you have seen this year. We showed what we are about today. Hard work, determination and energy brought about this win."

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On the contribution of Barry McNulty, who scored 1-6 and was a massive influence for Leitrim, Poacher said, “Barry is a fantastic character. He is a great leader and an amazing talent.”

Next up is the considerable challenge of Galway, but Poacher has no doubt this is where Leitrim want to be.

“Games like that are what you want. They are physically strong but we will get back on the horse and see what happens,” he stated.

His captain Ryan O'Rourke has seen some bad days with Leitrim over his decade long involvement but Sunday wasn't one of them. The Fenagh St Caillins clubman told the Observer that this game was on Leitrim's radar all year.

“Since early in the year, we targeted this game. We put a lot of work into this in the past two weeks,” he stated.

This win followed a heavy defeat to Carlow and the game before that was a tremendous win over neighbours Longford. So, will the real Leitrim please stand up?

“I know,” O'Rourke smiles. “We played our best football of the year against Longford, then the Carlow game saw that flip. Now, our next game has seen us up again. We have probably been frustrating to watch at times. Consistency is something we have spoken about a lot,” he commented

O'Rourke was pleased with how his side managed the final quarter onslaught from Sligo: “I thought that we managed the game well. We slowed it down when we had to, and controlled the game well pushing down the stretch.”

O'Rourke scored Leitrim's third goal: “Goals win games alright. Scoring two goals in the first half gave us a cushion,” he stated.

Now one of the veterans of the team, O'Rourke praised the contribution of young substitutes: “The U20's who came on gave us the legs.”

Next up is Galway and O'Rourke is looking forward to the challenge: “This win will definitely raise morale in the county. “We are massive underdogs against Galway, who are one of the All- Ireland favourites.”