Shane McGettigan Park

Kiltubrid v Melvin Gaels

v

Allen Gaels v Carrigallen

v

Allen Gaels v Bornacoola

v

Allen Gaels v Ballinaglera

v

Allen Gaels v Aughavas

v

Allen Gaels v St. Patrick’s Dromahair

v

Allen Gaels v Carrigallen

v

Glencar/Manor v Melvin Gaels

Leitrim IFC and JFC Previews

The Leitrim IFC and JFC near their conclusions, with relegation finals and semi finals to be decided this weekend.

INTERMEDIATE

SEMI-FINALS

Aughnasheelin v Kiltubrid

in Avant Money Pairc Sean MacDiarmada at 2:30pm on Saturday 8th October

The first of the two IFC semi-finals throws local rivals Aughnasheelin and Kiltubrid together. These two are well acquainted opponents, given how often they've played each other in recent years and the fact many of the players would have soldiered together at schools level over the years.

Last year's meeting saw Kiltubrid win by a single point, which saw them progress to this stage against Ballinaglera. Their championship run ended following their collapse in that game.

This year, Kiltubrid have been up and down. They've lost to Bornacoola, beaten championship favourites Allen Gaels and drawn with Drumkeerin but a big win over Ballinaglera by nine points saw them take vengeance for last years defeat.

A big win over Ballinaglera by nine points saw them take vengeance for last years defeat. They followed that up with another nine point win in the quarters against Drumkeeran, so they come into this in good form.

They followed that up with another nine point win in the quarters against Drumkeerin, so they come into this in good form. Backboned by some very experienced former Leitrim players including keeper Noel Gill and Shane Foley in defence. Around the middle of the park, Michael McCormack, Fionn O'Brien and James Tighe set the tempo.

Up front, Barry McWeeney has been impressive when called upon whilst the experience of Emmett Mahon and Mick Earley has been huge for the side. They'll look to Barry and Danny McWeeney for scores, as well as the O'Brien brothers.

Aughnasheelin will likely go in as favourites based on their squad's intercounty experience, but will still need a big performance. Kevin McWeeney has been solid in goals whilst Wayne Gilgunn, Ciaran and Cillian Cullen have been excellent at the back.

Aaron Hoare has dominated midfield whilst Fintan Fitzpatrick is the chief scorer in attack. His accuracy is a key reason as to why they're in this position at all after the lose of Conor Cullen who was in inspired form prior to his injury during the league.

Rumour's have circulated that large numbers of the current Aughnasheelin squad are bound for foreign shores in the coming weeks and if true this could be their last chance for a county title for some time.

Allen Gaels v Annaduff

in Avant Money Pairc Sean MacDiarmada at 4:30pm on Saturday 8th October

Two teams who were heavily tipped to go the distance square off in the second semi-final.

Since the change in the dugout a few weeks prior to the championship, Allen Gaels have gelled really well. Aside from a slight blip against Kiltubrid in round 2, they have been very impressive.

Some young exciting talent has emerged in Drumshanbo, with Caleb Duffy, Colin Moran and Ciaran Walsh leading the line. The trio have been responsible for some big scores for their side.

At the back, Ronan Moran has been solid in between the sticks. Martin Raftery, Alan Wynne, Mark Gunning and Radek Oberwan in defence have all performed in big moments.

Annaduff on the other hand were well beaten by their opponents a month ago in the group stage, 1-12 to 0-07. That result shows they enter this one as underdogs.

A black card for Adam O'Hagan in that game proved costly for Allen Gaels, as they couldn't find a reply to a 1-6 run in the last fifteen minutes. If they manage to keep their full fifteen on the field however, they will stand a chance.

Annaduff have made this final in recent years, losing to Gortletteragh in the rescheduled 2020 final. They'll look to experience here, but age isn't on their side. There are a few examples in recent years however, such as Drumreilly, that on the big day age doesn't matter.

Availability has been an issue but the indication is that Conor Reynolds should be back from his injury. Elsewhere, Dillon Keane and Dean Gill have been inspirational at the back whilst Sean McNabola and Kenny Cox have been good up front.

Allen Gaels will be favourites, but this will ultimately come down to who wants it more.

RELEGATION FINAL

Ballinaglera v Mohill

in Fenagh St. Caillins at 1:30pm on Sunday 9th October

Last years finalists face last years junior champions for survival.

Mohill have struggled due to eligibility rules and they come into this one as huge underdogs, also as a result of said rule. With the senior final also nigh, there's bigger fish to fry in this parish.

Ballinaglera are also concenred by rumours of emigration, so this club could be in a sticky position after the winter. They'll be hoping they can maintain their intermediate status for now.

JUNIOR RELEGATION FINAL

Glencar/Manorhamilton v Melvin Gaels

in Shane McGettigan Park, Drumshanbo at 1:00pm on Sunday 9th October

With the re-sizing of the JFC down to eight teams, Ballinamore and Aughawillan have already been relegated. One of the sides from North Leitrim will join them there after this game.

Melvin Gaels were relegated from senior football last week at the same venue and will look to avoid their B team suffering the same fate. Given the hangover from Sunday last, it's tough to know what the mood of the club will be like heading into this one.

Glencar-Manor will also be disappointed to be in this position and given how their senior season ended, they're in a similar position to their opponents. They won the Junior final in 2019, so to face the prospect of relegation would feel like a serious step back.

Melvin Gaels did compete in the tougher group, as two of their opponents progressed to the semi final. They also only lost to group winners Cloone by a point. They're probably slight favourites heading into this.

As usual, live text and audio commentary can be found for selected games through their respective links above.

v

Dromahair 2-11 – 2-10 Melvin Gaels

Dromahair leave it late to sink Melvin Gaels in Senior Championship playoff

A Rory Kelly goal, five minutes into added time and with the second last kick of the game, keeps Dromahair in the Senior Championship for 2023 and in the process relegates Melvin Gaels to Intermediate status.

The losers were devastated, leading by three points going into added time, it looked like they would retain senior status for next year, but two Martin Feeney frees left just a point between them. Peter McGowan pointed four minutes into the added time and that two point lead looked enough but a two point lead is dangerous and when the winners were awarded a free about thirty five metres out, Feeney had no option but to lob the ball into the Gaels goalmouth and when the ball landed eventually to Kelly, he made no mistake from close range.

The winners celebrated liked they had won the championship and who can blame them, no win in the championship but of course if you are going to win a game, this was the one.

The winners got off to the perfect start, Gary Fowley cutting in from the wing to blast the ball to the net. Caolan Clancy hit over a good point from play to open the losers account but points from Feeney (free) and James Clancy left a four point gap. Joseph McGloin and Martin Clancy exchanged points before McGloin hit the net to leave just the minimum between the teams.

Feeney extended his teams advantage to two with a free but the Gaels finished the half the better, Caolan Clancy hitting from three points from play and McGloin adding a free to leave the Gaels two up at the break. It could have been much better for them when McGloin punched the ball to the Dromahair net six minutes before the break but the goal was disallowed after consultation between the referee and umpires. Gaels carried their improved form into the second half and six minutes in, Caolan Clancy fired to the net to give his team a five point advantage.

But Dromahair did not panic and in a ten minute spell, hit over four points without reply to leave a point between the sides, two Feeney frees and two from substitutes James Clinton (45) and Diarmuid Giblin from play their marksmen, they also had a goal disallowed in that dominant period. McGloin (free) and Feeney (mark) exchanged points but with three minutes of normal time remaining the winners were dealt a blow when James Morrison received a second yellow card from referee Enda Egan.

Matthew Cleary and Caolan Clancy added points for the losers to leave a three point gap going into added time. As mentioned earlier, two Feeney frees and a point from substitute Peter McGowan left that two point difference, Caolan Clancy received a black card in the added time but it still advantage the Gaels until that last gasp Kelly goal. In fairness to Dromahair, they battled away when the found themselves five points down early in the second half and three points down going into added time and in the end got that vital goal to save their season, the Gaels will be very disappointed, they seemed to have the game wrapped up but once the late goal went in, they had no time to level matters with the final whistle going from the resultant kick out.

v

Allen Gaels 1-12 – 0-7 Annaduff

Allen Gaels secure second win in Intermediate Championship

A black card for Adam O’ Hagan changed the dynamic of the tie, as Allen Gaels were able to work their scores late in the second half to secure victory.

It was a tight compact game up until O’Hagan saw black in the 45th minute, plenty of hand passing and slow build up play as neither could get those early opportunities coming easy.

Annaduff worked hard especially in the opening half, but once they lost a man the heads dropped and from here it was Allen Gaels who reaped all the spoils.

O’Hagan kicked Annaduff ahead in the opening seconds, but Ciaran McMotrrow had the hosts level after three minutes. Sean McNabola and Caelb Duffy exchanged scores by the 6th minute, as it was hard to separate the sides.

Martin Rafferty and Colin Moran ended the opening quarter with a point each, Allen Gaels ahead 0-4 to 0-2 but just could not get further ahead, Annadff finished the opening half well, two McNabola points and a point from Sean Quigley punishing a poor kickout, had them a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at halftime.

Two quick points after the restart, the latter by Cian Beirne, put Gaels back into the lead, just by the minimum it only lasted two minutes, Mcnabola accurate once more from a free. Quigley kicked another fine effort three minutes later to again give Annaduff the lead, this however would be their last score of the contest.

Moran pointed two frees just before the third quarter drew to a conclusion, but the main turning point was the black card, leaving the final 15 minutes in the hosts favour, Moran Ciaran McMorrow and Shane Beirne all added scores, for a 0-10 to 0-7 lead going into the final 10 minutes.

Sean Lynch finished off the tie with style notching a goal and a point as Annaduff just could not work their scores, Allen Gaels the happier to see themselves picking up momentum in the championship.

v