Leitrim 0-4 Sligo 0-8: This low-scoring affair at Croke Park yesterday saw Sligo shake off their bridesmaid tag to finally lift the All-Ireland Women's Junior Football championship. Beaten finalists for the last two years, Sligo had fate on their side on an overcast afternoon with Leitrim denied two goals in the closing stages of this game.

Sligo had been thwarted by a very focused Leitrim full-back line in the early stages, the Connacht champions holding a 0-3 to 0-2 lead courtesy of three points from veteran captain Ann Marie Cox. Sligo, however, were to gain a crucial advantage at the break with both Helena Haran and Therese Marren registering injury-time points.

And with Sligo centre forward Stephanie O'Reilly, making some influential runs, Paddy Henry's team had added points from Noelle Gormley, Marren and impact sub Louise Brett to open a 0-7 to 0-3 lead with 13 minutes of normal time to go.

Leitrim were not out of it, though, with Sligo defender Grainne O'Gara intercepting a pass that would have given Leitrim full forward Anna Conlan a clear run on goal.

Cox added a free five minutes later but the goal Leitrim badly needed didn't materialise, Sligo goalkeeper Katrina Connolly diverting Sharon Kerrigan's shot away for a 45 in the closing stages.

LEITRIM: L Loughlin; E Kelly, S Brennan, M Stenson; T Mylott, E McGlade, C Creegan; M Quinn, S McLoughlin; M McKeon, L Brennan, S Kerrigan; A M Cox (0-4, three frees), S Quinn, A Kelly. Subs: A Conlan for A Kelly 40 mins.

SLIGO: K Connolly; F Maye, G O'Gara, M Keane; T O'Hara, C Kennedy, L Harte; B Byrne, S McTiernan; E Flanagan (0-1), S O'Reilly (0-1), A Doohan; H Haran (0-1), N Gormley (0-1, free), T Marren (0-3). Subs: I Mc Nulty for Flanagan (37 mins), L Brett (0-1) for Doohan (45 mins), L Smith for Gormley (60 mins), R Goodwin for Harte (60+ 4 mins), K Maloney for Haran (60+5 mins).

Referee: B Gallagher (Tyrone).