Connacht SFC: Leitrim stun Sligo

Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final

LEITRIM 3-15 SLIGO 1-20

By Liam Maloney at Markievicz Park

Leitrim recorded a fantastic one-point defeat over Sligo for their first defeat of their neighbours in the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship in 15 years.

Midfielder Barry McNulty was the star man for the winners, scoring 1-6, as goals from Keith Keegan and Ryan O'Rourke were also vital in this deserved win against a Sligo side that only sparked sporadically.

Leitrim came to the Sligo town venue – with its plush newly-laid pitch – hoping to repeat the magic of 2011 when they overturned Sligo by three points, 1-10 to 0-10, in a Connacht quarter-final.

That was their last win over Sligo in this grade, with Sligo having the upper hand two years ago when the provincial neighbours met in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Sligo had the better Allianz Football League campaign in so far as they operated in Division Three, finishing fifth – compared to Leitrim, who ended up seventh in Division Four – with Sligo’s new management of Eamonn O’Hara and Dessie Sloyan intent on rebuilding as much as Leitrim boss Steven Poacher.

Sligo, who were against the wind in the opening half, looked to established themselves in the opening stages as they led 0-6 to 0-2.

Lee Deignan, Niall Murphy, Jack Lavin and Luke Towey were among the Sligo scorers and they were in control against a Leitrim side that pointed twice in the first five minutes.

Barry McNulty’s polished 16th minute goal - following a Sligo turnover and a Leitrim counterattack – proved a turning point for the wind-assisted visitors.

Lee Deignan’s pointed free was only a brief respite for Sligo, who failed to score for the last 17 minutes of the first-half.

Points from the lively Tom Prior and the excellent Barry McNulty, who landed a superb two-pointer, kept Leitrim’s recovery going and they goaled again in the 28th when Keith Keegan scored from close-range.

Oisin McLoughlin wrapped up Leitrim’s first-half scoring as they took a six-point lead into the break, 2-7 to 0-7.

Sligo reshuffled their attack for the second-half and, with the breeze at their backs, began to eat into the deficit with a couple of fine points from Lee Deignan, their top scorer on the day and best forward.

But Leitrim kept coming. Oisin McLoughlin was denied a goal by Sligo netminder Aidan Devaney's fine save but Leitrim managed to recycle possession and Barry McNulty was involved as Ryan O'Rourke drilled to the net for Leitrim's third goal.

Sean Harkin's point then increased the gap to 10 points, 3-11 to 0-10, with 47 minutes on the clock.

Sligo, however, rolled up their sleeves and managed to outscore their opponents over the next 23 minutes.

This fightback was sparked by substitute Pat Spillane's goal from a pass by Cian Lally, who almost goaled later on but Leitrim goalkeeper Killian Gaffey turned the fierce shot over for a point.

There were also good two-pointers from Lee Deignan and Luke Towey as Sligo turned the screw.

Barry McNulty popped up with an important point for Leitrim and substitute Paul Honeyman landed their 15^th and final score with five minutes left. This left three points between them, 3-15 to 1-18, as Sligo's Lee Deignan then kicked a two-pointer to cut the gap to a point.

Leitrim managed to stay in front – just about – and they survived in the closing stages when Sligo opted not to go direct for a two-pointer from a free. When the hooter sounded Leitrim fans celebrated a memorable win.

Scorers for Sligo: Lee Deignan 0-7 (1tp, 2f), Alan McLoughlin 0-5 (3f, 1tp), Luke Towey 0-3 (1tp), Pat Spillane 1-0, Niall Murphy 0-2 (1f), Cian Lally 0-1, Jack Lavin 0-1, David Quinn 0-1

Scorers for Leitrim: Barry McNulty 1-6 (1tp, 1f), Oisin McLoughlin 0-3, Ryan O'Rourke 1-0, Keith Keegan 1-0, Sean Harkin 0-2, Tom Prior 0-2, Fergal McLoughlin 0-1, Paul Honeyman 0-1

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Tommy Ross, Conor Sheridan, Luke Casserly; Canice Mulligan, Jack Lavin, Paul Kilcoyne; Darragh Cummins, Luke Towey; Lee Deignan, Alan McLoughlin, Cian Lally; Joshua Flynn, Niall Murphy, Shane Deignan. Subs: Pat Spillane for Flynn (h-t), Kyle Cawley for S Deignan (h-t), Gavin Gorman for Murphy (49), David Quinn for Sheridan (61), Daire O'Boyle for Kilcoyne (47)

Leitrim: Killian Gaffey; Cillian McGloin, Conor Reynolds, Sean Harkin; Eoin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley, Keith Keegan; Conor Quinn, Barry McNulty; Fergal McLoughlin, Riordan O’Rourke, Tom Prior; Ryan O’Rourke, Gavin Reynolds, Oisin McLoughlin. Subs: Ben Guckian for F McLoughlin (55), Eanna McNamara for E McLoughlin (55), Paul Honeyman for O McLoughlin (58), Jack Kelly for Prior (62), Michael McKiernan for Reynolds (62) (temporary)

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)