Sean O’ Heslins Ballinamore overcame a spirited Leitrim Gaels in a pulsating opening round fixture in the Connacht Gold Leitrim Senior Football Championship played at the Leitrim Gaels Community Field on Saturday.

The Visitors dominated the early exchanges and lead by 0-6 to 0-0 after 12 minutes. Mal Guckian’s home team exploded into life in the 12minute and were level by the 17th minute mark thanks to an Aaron Aldrige goal and points from Brian Goldrick, Stephen Goldrick
and Liam Chandler.

For the goal Conor Guckian fielded a booming high ball from Aidan Flynn and when it got to Aldridge, he made no mistake from close range. They could have been ahead had Darren Maxwell not bravely saved an earlier goal bound effort from the impressive Conor
Guckian at the expense of a 45.

The 2021 champions responded immediately to Aldridge’s goal with Dean McGovern finishing to the net in the 18th minute to make it 1-6 to 1-3. The sides traded scores in an even contest until the break and the Ballinamore team went in leading by 1-9 to 1-7 having played against the breeze.

Playing without the injured Donal Casey, Leitrim Gaels came out all guns blazing in the second half and scored two goals in the opening five minutes from Conor Guckian who was athorn in the side for Ballinamore all through. The first came in the 31st minute after a piercing run from Jack Flynn through the heart of the Sean O’ Heslin’s defence before he offloaded to Guckian who palmed neatly to the net. The second came three minutes later and was a fisted effort in a crowded goalmouth from a long delivery by Liam Chandler.

Leitrim Gaels held a six-point lead, 3-10 to 1-10, before the all-time record holders of Leitrim Senior Championship sparked into life and outscored the home team by 1-7 to 0-1 in the last quarter.

A brace of points each from Paul Honeyman and Luke Murphy as well as points from Michael McKiernan, Paul Moran and Wayne McKeon together with a 51st minute goal from Shane Moran ensured victory for Mark Henry’s team. Moran’s goal came from a long delivery which
bounced up and hit the upright and the former Leitrim star was on hand to palm the ball past Brian Cull in the Leitrim Gael’s goal to propel his team to victory.