Leitrim U20s fall to defeat after good start

Despite getting off to a great start that yielded 1-3 to no reply in the first 12 minutes of Saturday’s Philly McGuinness U20 Cup clash, Leitrim could not hold off a determined Fermanagh in the opening round of the competition in Tempo.

Leitrim got off to a blistering start but despite a battling effort, they were unable to hold out against their hosts who held off a late Green & Gold surge to take victory in the opening game of the competition.

Leitrim dictated the game early on and points from Ben Guckian, Paul Moran and a fine solo effort from Jack Casey was quickly followed by a well drilled goal coming from Paul Moran, after a fine catch around the middle by Ben Guckian.

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With Fermanagh trailing 1-3 to no score, the home side needed something fast and they got that with the energetic Fionan O’Brien surging forward before Diarmaid King pointed from a difficult angle.

Casey and O’Brien exchanged scores before Aoghan Kelm finished off a fine Fermanagh move as McLaughlin’s charges tried to get back into the game.

Fermanagh found the net on 19 minutes when wing half back Micheál Flanagan got forward and after a neat one two with Diarmuid Owens, Flanagan’s shot deceived the Leitrim goalkeeper Jack Shiels and the ball ended up in the net to leave it 1-3 to 1-4.

St Mary’s Kiltoghert’s Emmet Regan did well to win a 50/50 ball before laying off to Michael McKiernan for a well drilled score for the Connacht side to open up a two-point advantage with 25 minutes played.

Fermanagh hit the final point of the half when King pointed after good work by Malachy O’Flanagan to leave it a one point game at the break.

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Whatever was said in the Fermanagh dressing room certainly worked as the Erne men kicked the opening three points of the second half to take control of the contest. The superb O’Brien hit his third point of the game from play before further scores were provided by O’Flanagan and King as Fermanagh led, 1-7 to 1-5.

Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins’ Michael McKiernan then moved forward with the ball to hit his second point of the game before he needlessly picked up a black card shortly after.

O’Brien was proving to be a constant thorn in the Leitrim side and he once again came forward to slot over with real zest as the Erne men went further ahead, 1-8 to 1-6 after 43 minutes.

Guckian and King pointed for either side but Fermanagh were  dominating around the middle with Conor O’Halloran and Malachy O’Flanagan winning more and more ball. Justin McDade made space after an intelligent ball by Aoghan Kelm saw Fermanagh three clear.

Leitrim were not finished though as the lively Jack Casey ran into space and pointed. Fermanagh did run on a number of substitutes throughout the second half and Cian O’Brien and Dan McCann both pointed when introduced as McLaughlin’s side edged further ahead, 1-12 to 1-8.

Casey again found space to loft over a neat score for Leitrim, however as the game entered additional time it was clear Leitrim would need a goal. On the stroke of full time it was King who stretched the Erne men into a four point lead and that’s how it finished.

Leitrim now take on Longford this Saturday, February 18, in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada with the Longford side looking to book their place in the final after they beat Cavan 2-9 to 2-7 last weekend.

St Mary's Kiltoghert present juvenile medals and awards for 2022

Presentation in The Landmark Hotel

LEITRIM

Scorers: Jack Casey 0-4; Paul Moran 1-1; Michael McKiernan & Ben Guckian 0-2 each

Team & Panel: Jake Shiels (Bornacoola), Ryan Cunningham (Gortletteragh); Brian Donohue (Cloone); Donal Duignan (Mohill); Mark Lenehan (St Mary’s Kiltoghert); Jack Foley (Kiltubrid); Cian Sammon (Aughnasheelin); Michael McKiernan (Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins); Ben Guckian (St Mary’s Kiltoghert); Gavin Reynolds (St Mary’s Kiltoghert); Barry McNulty (Glencar Manorhamilton); Emmet Regan (St Mary’s Kiltoghert); Conor Quinn (Mohill); Paul Moran (Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins); Jack Casey (St Mary’s Kiltoghert). Subs: Shaun Sheridan (Glencar Manorhamilton); Kyle McCrann (St Mary’s Kiltoghert); Con Doyle (Kiltubrid); Daniel Bosquette (Annaduff); Daniel McLoughlin (Fenagh St Caillins); Tommy Taylor (Annaduff); Oisin Curley (Leitrim Gaels); Darragh Gunn (Aughnasheelin); Ciaran Reynolds (Gortletteragh)