Allen Gaels clinch promotion as Masonite ACL nears a dramatic conclusion

Allen Gaels started off a hectic final week of the Masonite All County Leagues on Wednesday evening when a five point win over neighbours Ballinaglera in a refixed Division 2 clash ensured promotion for the Drumshanbo men.

With a fierce battle at both ends of the table in Division 1, the fight for promotion from Divisions 2 and 3 come down to one single matches while the relegation dogfight in Division 1 could be equally difficult.

Allen Gaels 0-12 to 0-7 victory over Ballinaglera on Wednesday leaves them three points clear of Carrigallen and four clear of Ballinaglera, ensuring them a place in the League Final and leaving Carrigallen’s clash in need of a victory away to Kiltubrid on Friday night to join them in the top flight for 2024.

Cloone GAA Club pay tribute to the late John Gormley

The draw will not do Carrigallen as they lost heavily to Ballinaglera in the third round of the competition. A draw with Kiltubrid would leave them on ten points while Ballinaglera would expect to pick up the victory against the already relegated Aughavas on Saturday evening.

Annaduff are also in the mix and a win over Allen Gaels on Saturday could see them in contention for second place. Ballinaglera had punctured their hopes with a 1-9 to 0-9 win last Saturday but it could all come down to scoring difference with the right sequence of results.

Carrigallen lost the chance to go level with Allen Gaels at the top of the table when Melvin Gaels held them to a 1-9 apiece draw. That point also secured the Kinlough men’s place in Division 2 for next year as they cannot now be caught by Dromahair or Aughavas.

Dromahair went down to a  0-12 to 0-6 defeat at the hands of Kiltubrid while Allen Gaels handed Aughavas a 12 point defeat, 2-12 to 1-3. It means both Dromahair and Aughavas will be playing Division 3 football in 2024.

Kiltubrid host promotion chasing Carrigallen on Friday while Aughavas host Ballinaglera on Saturday, Dromahair visit Melvin Gaels and Annaduff take on Allen Gaels in a game that could yet prove vital.

In Division 1, St Mary’s Kiltoghert confirmed their place in the Division 1 Final last weekend when they drew 1-10 to 3-4 with Aughawillan in Aughawillan, a late goal from Conor Farrell ensuring they maintained their unbeaten record at the top of the table.

The draw, however, leaves Aughawillan needing other results to go their way as they take on high scoring Fenagh St Caillins who handed Aughnasheelin a heavy 1-22 to 2-3 defeat last Saturday, a result that relegated their neighbours back to Division 2 for 2024.

St Mary's celebrate dramatic win over Mac Diarmada Gaels in U20 Division 1 Final - GALLERY

St Mary's Kiltoghert retained their Cox's Steakhouse U20 Championship title on Thursday evening in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada when they held off a strong challenge from Mac Diarmada Gaels to win 4-11 to 3-12. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan

A win for Fenagh or Aughawillan would put them in contention for the final but they will both need Glencar Manorhamilton to do them a favour as Leitrim Gaels hold second place with eight points after they had a high scoring 3-12 to 1-13 win over Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins. The north Leitrim kingpins went down to a 2-7 to 0-10 defeat at the hands of Mohill last Saturday, a result that moves the reigning champions out of the relegation zone.

To avoid the drop, Manor have to beat Leitrim Gaels, leaving the door open for the winner of the Fenagh Aughawillan clash to claim the place in the final, but the north Leitrim side also need Ballinamore to beat Mohill.

In the event of a Fenagh victory, a draw would not be enough for Leitrim Gaels to secure a place in the Final as St Caillins have the head to head but an Aughawillan win would mean a draw would do the Gaels. With Fenagh and Aughawillan meeting on Friday,  Leitrim Gaels will know exactly what they have to do to reach the final.

In Division 3, Gortletteragh’s 2-7 to 0-10 victory over Drumkeerin assures them of promotion and a place in the final as they lie three points clear with their programme finished. The battle to take the second spot and a place in the final is between Cloone and Drumkeerin who face off in a winner takes all battle on Saturday.

A victory for Drumkeerin would see them level on eight points with Cloone but the head to head would give them second place. A draw would do for Cloone who were not in action last weekend.

Mohill celebrate dramatic victory over Melvin Gaels to claim U20 Division 2 crown - GALLERY

Mohill claimed a dramatic 4-7 to 2-12 victory over a defiant Melvin Gaels in the Cox's Steakhouse Leitrim U20 Championship Division 2 Final on Wednesday evening in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, sealing victory with an injury time winner from Matthew Murphy. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there to capture the drama, see who you can spot!

The final game of last weekend saw Glenfarne Kiltyclogher hit the goal trail as they put five past Drumreilly to win 5-8 to 1-8. The north Leitrim men face off against fellow Junior A rival Eslin in their final game next Saturday while Drumreilly take on Bornacoola.

The first League finals of the year take place next Sunday with St Mary’s Kiltoghert taking on Mohill in the Reserve Division 1 Final in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada while Cloone plays hosts to the Reserve Division 2 Final between Annaduff and Fenagh St Caillins, both games at 1pm.