Lancashire put Leitrim to the pin of their collars says manager Olcan Conway

Leitrim may have recorded their second win of the Allianz NHL Division 3B campaign but manager Olcan Conway had plenty of praise too for his Lancashire opponents after a hard fought victory in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

“Lancashire were excellent. They were a very good strong physical outfit. Their stick work was very good,” reflected Olcan, “Great credit to Lancashire. Their boys came well prepared and ready to have a go. I thought they were excellent today in the way they hurled. They really put us to the pin of our collar. We are happy we dug deep and got the win.”

Looking for reasons for Leitrim's slow start, Olcan pointed to the concession of goals in the first half: “The pitch was slow and it probably didn't suit us. At the end of the day we left ourselves with a bit to do. We did gift them a few goals in the first half, which is something we will have to look at because we did the same last week against Warwickshire. 

Leitrim's road warriors as mens & ladies football teams bid to maintain county's 100% start to National Leagues

“We just can't continue to have to dig games and come back. In the second half the lads dug in and pushed up; got our crucial scores when we needed them and thankfully won the game.”

Olcan blamed the breeze for Leitrim's early second half wides: “I think the first four wides all tailed off to the right hand side. There was a small bit of a breeze there and I think a lot of our shots seemed to get caught by it. But the lads readjusted then and we started tagging on the points and we started building up the scoreboard.”

Commenting on Stephen Goldrick's game defining goal, Olcan simply said “We needed that score - it was either going to be a point or a goal at that time and then we started to play, thankfully it was a goal. I think it brought us level at that time. We settled down to play some good hurling. 

“I was disappointed with a lot of the hurling we played up to that stage. We have a lot to work on. Getting the win and not playing so well – that's a good thing for a manager, so I can work them hard for the next few weeks.”

A night to savour for Leitrim sports

THE LAST POINT

Leitrim Observer Unsung Hero Award winner Aisling Quinn, Overall winner Shane Mallon and Hall of Fame winner Patricia Griffin pictured with sponsors, officials and special guest Jonny Cooper at the Leitrim Sports Star Awards. (Back, from left) Declan Boyle, Joe Lowe, Cllr Enda McGloin, Cllr Paddy O'Rourke, Mary Quinn, Cllr Finola Armstrong Maguire, Cllr Sean McGowan. (Front) Aishling Quinn, Shane Mallon, LCC Cathaoirleach Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn, Patricia Griffin & Jonny Cooper Picture: James Molloy

Unfortunately for Leitrim, the hurlers won’t have another game for a month before they face Cavan: “You would like to be playing in two weeks time again and keep your (winning) momentum going. But that's the way the league is. We have to handle that as a team and as a management group. We have to make sure the lads are ready and sharp for the next game.”