Leitrim recorded another success in Connacht, goals from Ailbhe Clancy, Michelle Guckian and Muireann Devaney proved vital in seeing Leitrim overcome defending champions Roscommon in their own backyard Kiltoom.

Goals win you games and at vital times in the tie Leitrim found the net on course to eventual victory. A fourth final in a row and three titles in that timeline now for Leitrim, Guckian and Clancy inspired figures in the win.

Roscommon gave it their all in trying to regain the Intermediate crown but will see those conceded goals as real sucker punches to take. Aimee O’Connor who was a late change had an empathic performance in the decider which kept Roscommon fighting till the end.

It was a cagey start to proceedings in the Intermediate decider, the lead swapped between the sides before Roscmoonon started to build a lead. Aimee O’Connor, Aisling Hanly, Lauren Shanagher and O’Connor again, struck four points in succession to see Roscommon lead by the same margin with 13 minutes elapsed.

Leitrim hit back seconds later, after some beautiful hand passes down the field, Ailbhe Clancy received possession in front of goal and struck to the roof of the goal, rattling the back of the Roscommon net to make it 0-6 to 1-2. Michelle Guckian soon levelled the tie with a converted free. Ella Thompson restored the Rossies lead shy of the 20 minute mark but Leitrim again found the net in response. 

Like their opening goal it was a swift attack, full of hand passes before Laura O’Dowd burst down the field, finding Muireann Devaney and Deavney fizzed the ball across the square where Guckian unfurled the green flag having punched the ball into the net and the lead was two points 2-3 to 0-7. Guckian had a real chance inside two minutes to find the net but made no mistake later in the half.

It was a blockbuster finish to the opening half, Judy McDermott and Hanly quickly reduced arrears to level in the 26th. O’Connor added another score in the 27th minute and the Rossies marched back into the lead.

Guckian replied with a point from a testing angle to again level the tie with 28 minutes on the clock. Kate Noal looked to have given Roscommon a narrow lead at the interval but Ailbhe Clancy dissected the posts to see the tie level  2-5 to 0-11 at the break.

Muireann Deaveny drew first blood for Leitrim inside the opening minute of the second half, one minute later Guckian played a sublime ball for Aine Redician, a slipped pass by Redican to Laura O’Dowd resulted in another score, Leitrim opened up an early cushion in the second half. 

Two Aimee O’Cionnor frees helped level matters once again with 38 minutes elapsed, 2-07 to 0-13. Leitrim had a surge to end that third quarter on top, Ailbhe Clancy clinical with two frees off the left boot pushed Leitrim ahead and with 48 on the clock Guckian added another score to make it 2-10 to 0-13.

O’Connor struck three points in succession to level matters by the 51st minute. Leitrim’s response was swift and again emphatic as they grabbed goal number three. Muireann Deavney with a swashbuckling run through the Roscommon defence saw the Glencar Manor woman fire low to the back of the net. Leitrim back ahead by three points 3-10 to 0-16 with 52 minutes elapsed in Kiltoom. 

With five minutes left Ailbhe Clancy struck a long range point to push Leitrim four ahead in the final minutes. Sinead Farrell responded for Roscommon but as it looked like they would reduce that gap further Ailbhe Clancy struck her fifth point off the game converting another free for a four point margin nearing the end.

O’Connor kicked two late points to bring her tally to 0-10 but time was not on their hands. Leitrim leading by two made it nervy, coughing up possession in the final seconds, doing enough to win it back just before the hooter sounded to see them regain their Intermediate crown.