Leitrim back in the promotion hunt after victory over Carlow

Putting the memory of their first loss firmly in the rear view mirror, Leitrim got themselves right back into the Allianz NFL Division 4 promotion race last Sunday in fantastic style when they overwhelmed a Carlow side who finished with 12 players in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

Despite playing with the advantage of stiff breeze, Leitrim struggled to cope with a strong and physical Carlow outfit for the opening 17 minutes  and were slightly lucky perhaps to be on level terms at that stage. However, Leitrim grabbed Sunday's crucial game by the scuff of the neck and thanks in a large degree to first half goals from Keith Beirne and Jack Heslin to put the determined Carlow men somewhat on the back foot.

Rank indiscipline in the second half put Carlow completely on the back foot for the final quarter of the action as Carlow had Ciaran Moran & Jamie Clarke dismissed in quick succession on second yellow cards while fullback Mickey Bambrick got his marching orders on a straight red.

Special day for Paddy Maguire as Glencar Manorhamilton stalwart hits 100 games for Leitrim - GALLERY

Sunday was a special day for long serving Leitrim player Paddy Maguire as the Glencar Manorhamilton man lined out for the Leitrim Senior Football team for the 100th time in the 2-22 to 0-13 victory over Carlow in the Allianz NFL Division 4 clash in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan captured a few photos of Paddy celebrating a wonderful achievement.

Leitrim now has had three league wins from their first four outings and are on top of the Division 4 table on scoring differences over Laois and Sligo. 

For Leitrim to get promoted, the challenge is still a mighty one - Andy Moran’s side have difficult assignments to come against three promotion rivals. First up is Wicklow (one point adrift of Leitrim) on Sunday before two home games against Laois and Sligo in the final two outings of this year’s campaign.

For Andy Moran's side it is certainly all to be played for - three wins in Leitrim's next three fixtures is a tall order but it would assure Leitrim's promotion to Division 3 next season. Anything less than three wins will leave it in the lap of the gods for Leitrim.

The gods were smiling on Leitrim five minutes into the action when Colm Hutton blasted a clear cut goal chance off the crossbar but an alert Leitrim defence promptly cleared Hutton's rebound safely.

Carlow and Leitrim level on the scoreboard at 0-2 apiece after 17 minutes with Darragh Foley whipping two points for the Carlow men, one from a 40 metre free while Keith Beirne (play) and Tom Prior (fisted over) a point each for the Leitrim men.

Leitrim got on top over the next six minutes after Keith Beirne palmed to the Carlow net after being put through by Tom Prior and Beirne then converted a free, while Heslin and Mark Plunkett shot points apiece. 

A 24th minute long range point by Ciaran Moran kept the Carlow men in touch. Keith Beirne put over a Leitrim free while Darragh Foley hit back with two frees by the 28th minute mark for the visitors. Jack Heslin kept the scoreboard ticking over after a pass from Darragh Rooney but two more  Foley frees reduced the home side's advantage to three points with 33 minutes of the half played. 

Leitrim fans thrilled as Green & Gold go top of Allianz NFL Division 4 - GALLERY

Leitrim got themselves right back in the Allianz NFL Division 4 promotion race when they handed Carlow a 2-22 to 0-13 hammering in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada in front of delighted Green & Gold fans on Sunday. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there to capture some great images of fans enjoying the action .... see who you can spot!

But the tone of the game changed completely thanks to a well taken Heslin goal shortly afterwards, another Darragh Foley free in response leaving Leitrim 2-7 to 0-8 in front at the halftime break.

After the restart Carlow reduced the deficit with a Darragh Foley 37th minute free before Carlow's Ciaran Moran was the recipient of a yellow card some six minutes later. Over the next 12 minutes Leitrim increased their lead to six points with Keith Beirne adding two free tap overs for the home side and Paul Keaney added a point.

Ross Dunphy and Darragh Foley (free) hit a point apiece for the visitors while Leitrim's Aidan Flynn saw yellow in this period. Carlow had a let off when Keith Beirne drove a Leitrim goal chance inches wide.

Carlow were reduced to 14 players when Ciaran Moran saw yellow in the 51st minute and from there on, Leitrim completely dominated the exchanges with Keith Beirne converting three frees and adding a point from play, while subs Evan Sweeney and Barry McNulty added two apiece with Emlyn Mulligan, Darragh Rooney and Conor Farrell getting a point each.

The game became a little bit farcical for its final 12 minutes (of which five minutes were of added time) due to a mad spell on the 63rd minute mark when Carlow's Jamie Clarke received a second yellow and some seconds later Carlow fullback, Mickey Bambrick was shown a straight red.

Near the end Carlow hit back with a Darragh Foley free conversion, his ninth of the afternoon. But Leitrim were home and dry at this stage with a commanding 15 point's victory margin under their belt.

Next up for Leitrim is a trip to Fortress Aughrim  next Sunday and a meeting with a  Wicklow side firmly on the rise - it should make for an exciting week for Leitrim fans!

Leitrim deaths - Tuesday, February 28, 2023

LEITRIM

Scorers: Keith Beirne 1-11, 7f, 1M; Jack Heslin 1-2, f; Evan Sweeney & Barry McNulty 0-2 each; Mark Plunkett, Darragh Rooney, Paul Keaney, Emlyn Mulligan & Conor Farrell 0-1 each

Team: Darren Maxwell; Paddy Maguire, Mark Diffley, Conor Reynolds; Conor Farrell, Shane Quinn, Mark Plunkett; Aidan Flynn, Donal Wrynn; Darragh Rooney, Jack Heslin, Paul Keaney; Tom Prior, Keith Beirne, Jordan Reynolds. Subs: James Rooney for J. Reynolds (43); E. Mulligan & T. Quinn for Plunkett & C. Reynolds (57); Evan Sweeney for Prior (58); Barry McNulty for Heslin (66)

CARLOW

Scorers: Darragh Foley 0-10, 9f; Ross Dunphy 0-2; Ciaran Moran 0-1

Team: Ciaran Cunningham; Liam Roberts, Mikey Bambrick, Dara Curran; Seanie Bambrick, Jordan Morrissey, Shane Clarke; Niall Hickey, Ciaran Moran; Josh Moore; Colm Hutton, Jamie Clarke; Ross Dunphy, Darragh Foley, Conor Crowley. Subs: Eric Molloy for Crowley (6); Cormac Lomax for Molloy (20); Finbarr Kavanagh for Hutton (53); Shane Clarke for Moore (56)

REFEREE: Niall McKenna (Monaghan)