Captain Ryan O'Rourke and Leitrim weren't short of motivation for Carlow test

​Putting right a 23 point hammering in the final game of the Allianz League was a motivating factor in Leitrim’s superb Tailteann Cup victory over Carlow according to captain Ryan O’Rourke who admitted that there was a fair bit of needle in last Saturday’s game in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.

When the Observer remarked on how chippy the game was, Ryan agreed that there is a strong rivalry between the teams, a rivalry that was evident as both teams walked the pitch long before the throw-in: “Yeah, it was and, to be honest with you, we weren't short on motivation this week. Even before the game, there was tension here. We were just walking on the pitch, both teams and both management teams and there was tension but that's exactly what we needed. To be fair, the management put a lot of work in this week and challenged us. But that day down in Netwatch Cullen Park was our darkest day this year.

“We really didn't take that well, whatever it was, 23 points - I know they got promoted, they are a strong team, no doubt, but we didn't even score from play, I don't think, for the last 45, 50 minutes. It was just, it was really poor. So we really just wanted to right the wrongs there.”

Another motivation was the desire to prove the win over Sligo was no flash in the pan: “You don't want to have a championship where you beat Sligo and then go out in the Tailteann Cup and just lose two rounds. As much as the win over Sligo was good, you don't want to leave the championship on a damp squid or anything like that. So, we're really focused on trying to get a win here and just delighted with that.”

Overcoming the loss of key players was crucial but the Leitrim captain stressed the determination within his team’s ranks to prove they could perform without some of their stars: “I know the boys are a massive loss but, to be honest, it challenges the rest of us as well. If we lost here today, people will talk about the injured players but we want to go out and prove that this is a good squad, this is a squad that put a lot of work in so that was probably a bit of extra motivation going into this game as well, to be honest.”

LEITRIM TAILTEANN CUP CLASH WITH WEXFORD FIXED FOR SATURDAY JUNE 6

Playing a deeper lying role than in his early years with Leitrim, Ryan is happy with his form but is looking forward to a break before the round 3 clash against Wexford? “My form is not too bad, trying to kind of conduct things a bit there and back defensively and stuff like that as well, trying to help the team out as much as possible in any way you can. It is tough going back to back weekends there. It is nice to get two weeks between the games but we won't fear anybody at this stage. We've played probably a team in nearly every division this year so far, so we’ll see whoever we get.”

The game was also a proud day for the Fenagh St Caillins club with eight of their players seeing action on the day and Ryan hopes it bodes well for them later in the year. “There's probably four of us in the forward line there, Ruairi coming on and stuff and I suppose you’re hoping that it goes well for the second half of the year. But it's nice to have some many from such a small club. Mohill probably have eight or nine before but for a small parish like ourselves, it's a proud moment really.”