Evolving St Mary's look the part

Ominous signs for the rest of the county as champions St Mary's Kiltoghert made light of the absence of six or more starters to brush past the challenge of  neighbours and fierce rivals Leitrim Gaels last Saturday evening in the Masonite ACL Division 1.

The immense strength in depth of the Carrick men was reflected in this performance as they held a determined but limited Leitrim Gaels at bay despite the absence of so many key players such as Paul Keaney, Conor Farrell, Sean Reynolds, Cian Singleton while Leitrim star Adam Reynolds only came off the bench as they finished both halves with a flurry of points to secure a six point victory.

These games are usually bitterly contested affairs that go down to the last kick of the game but the growing confidence of Alan Flynn's side and a developing attacking game means the holders of the Fenagh Cup are in rude health as they approach the defence of their crown.

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Last year, the heavy reliance on placed balls and prolonged periods of holding onto  possession saw St Mary's to a famous Championship victory but they appear to be developing a more expansive style as their young team are attacking with pace and real intent, the growing maturity of their young players reflected here.

For Leitrim Gaels, it was a chastening evening as they were unable to match the physicality and speed of their neighbours around the field. They'll be stronger when they get County stars Donal Casey and David Bruen back in their ranks but right now, they just don't have the same strength in depth as their neighbours but I imagine few teams do at this moment.

Leitrim Gaels got out of the blocks quickly with three points from Enda Moreton, James Flynn and Eunan Treacy inside the first five minutes, Treacy scoring a wonderful curling effort.

Aidan Flynn bursts through the centre of the St Mary's defence Picture: Willie Donnellan

Playing against a strong breeze that militated against even kicking a long pass, Gavin Reynolds showed good strength to drive from distance over the bar for St Mary's on seven minutes. Ben Guckian, hit when shooting, fired over a free and after Stephen Goldrick just missed with a  free that must have been 60 yards out, David O'Connell broke through and fisted over the bar.

That tied the scores after 18 minutes with Shane Rinn converting a free a minute later to restore the Gaels lead. But from there to the finish, St Mary's exerted control. Oisin Bohan and Goldrick swapped frees before Jack Casey scored a fine point after a good move. 

Jack Barnes and a Bohan free edged St Mary's into a 0-7 tom 0-5 halftime lead, a lead increased when Ben Guckian landed a monster point from play with the wind just 15 seconds into the second half.

Stephen Goldrick replied from a free but with both teams missing chances, it took 15 minutes for the next big incident when Mary's sliced the Gaels defence open but Jack Barnes saw his shot stopped by keeper Brian Cull while Casey's follow-up was blocked.

Emmet Regan finished off a great move with a point before Aidan Flynn did the same for the Gaels on 50 minutes. Both teams missed frees but St Mary's too control when Regan and sub Brian Farrell twice won the ball back from Gaels defenders and Casey fired over.

Three frees in the closing minutes from Guckian (2) and Bohan sealed the victory as St Mary's stay top of Division 1 after four rounds.

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LEITRIM GAELS

Scorers: Stephen Goldrick 0-2, 2f; Aidan Flynn, Enda Moreton, James Flynn, Eunan Treacy & Shane Rinn (f) 0-1 each

Team: Brian Cull, Ben Finn, Stephen McDermott, Aaron McLoughlin, Ryan Goldrick, Shaun Chandler, Daniel O'Sullivan, James Flynn, Aidan Flynn, Jack Flynn, Stephen Goldrick, Brian Goldrick, Shane Rynn, Enda Moreton, Eunan Treacy. Subs: Jamie Rynn for Jack Flynn (37); Liam Chandler for James Flynn (40); Oisin Curley for Rinn (53);

ST MARY'S KILTOGHERT

Scorers: Ben Guckian 0-4, 3f; Oisin Bohan 0-3, 3f; Jack Casey 0-2; Emmet Regan, David O'Connell, Gavin Reynolds, Jack Barnes 0-1 each

Team: Killian Gaffey, Mark Lenehan, Mark Diffley, Ashley Mayiza, Diarmuid Kelleher, Nicholas McWeeney, Gavin Reynolds, James McGrail, Conor Hackett, David O'Connell, Jack Casey, Ben Guckian, Emmet Regan, Oisin Bohan, Jack Barnes. Subs: Adam Reynolds for Mayiza (49); Brian Farrell & Sam Barnes for O'Connell & J Barnes (54); Brian O'Donnell for Regan (60); Mark Lowe for Casey (65)

Referee: Michael McGirl