History repeated as inspired Leitrim shock Sligo

Six years to the day since they last shocked the same opposition in the championship, Leitrim repeated history in fantastic style last Sunday in Markievicz Park to dump hot favourites Sligo out of this year’s Connacht Senior Football Championship.

Leitrim 1-10

Sligo 0-10

By John Connolly

Backed by a small but extremely vocal support, Leitrim delivered their best championship display in years to deservedly dump last year’s Connacht Finalists out of the competition at the very first hurdle and set up yet another rematch with Roscommon in just over two weeks time in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada on June 12.

The sight of those Leitrim supporters who did make the journey to Markievicz Park last Sunday gathered on the pitch in excited huddles around delighted players celebrating only serves to highlight just what the victory over Sligo meant to the long suffering Leitrim GAA public.

The first victory over a “home” team in the championship since 2005 and only the second since 2000, when Leitrim last reached the Connacht Final, signals what might be the start of a new era for Leitrim football.

Fielding seven debutants and two more who came on as subs last Sunday, Leitrim turned the form-book on its head by producing 70 minutes of disciplined and courageous football, defending with vigour and intense commitment and attacking with verve and clinical precision, particularly in the first half where Leitrim put in a fantastic shift.

To read the full story see this week’s Leitrim Observer.