Connacht SFC/Leitrim 1-11Sligo 0-9: Leitrim's interpretation of a barn-storming finish was something special and left favourites Sligo groping dismally for answers in yesterday's rain-spoiled Connnacht senior football championship game at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada.
Leitrim's supporters could not believe the transformation in a side whose performance for more than three quarters of the tie had sea-sawed between abysmal and mediocre.
"If we play the way we did in the second half we will be there or thereabouts against Galway in next month's semi-final".
This was the early forecast offered by man-of-the-match John McKeon, the Leitrim full back. McKeon, along with right corner back Michael McGuinness was a key figure for Leitrim in that great finish. Such was the grit and determination of these two players the rest of the team could not but respond with heart and passion.
Another reason for Leitrim's improvement was the two huge, inspiring points from Darren Duignan, who had come on in the third quarter. His first point levelled the scores for the third time in a roller-coaster of a clash. Then just after Michael Foley had put Leitrim into the lead for the first time, Duignan was on the mark with his second point.
Sligo looked shell-shocked and indeed failed to register a score from the 14th minute of the second half.
Earlier Sligo were inspired by Seán Davey, Jonathan Davey, Eamonn O'Hara, John McPartland, Mark Brehony and Adrian Marron. But these key players were forced into the shadows as Leitrim took control.
Another factor in Leitrim's favour was the timing of their goal by Johnny Goldrick during injury-time at the end of the first half.
Midfielder Gary McCloskey, Declan Maxwell and James Glancy were prominent in the build-up to this vital score.
Leitrim boss Dessie Dolan, a debutant championship manager, said: "That goal was vital. It settled us down and gave us confidence."
Goldrick's goal left the sides level at half-time, 1-3 to 0-6. There was a feeling that Sligo's failure to capitalise on their first-half dominance might prove fatal.
Donegal referee Séamus McGonigle showed nine cards in all, one of them red, which sent Leitrim's twice yellow-carded wing back Shane Foley marching off in the 70th minute. But at that stage nothing was going to deny the Leitrim men.
"Duignan did his stuff," said Dolan. "Leitrim are the poor relations of GAA football and this win is as good as any to boost our morale."
Dolan was pleased by the manner in which the younger and older players had combined.
Opposite number Dominic Corrigan, also in a managerial role for the first time in the Connacht championship, observed: "We let them off the hook but to their credit, they battled back at us and were good value for their win."
Corrigan's conviction that his side had let the victory slip was based on Sligo's failure to translate consistent possession into scores during the first 20 minutes. During that time his team were well on their way to amassing an unacceptable 14 wides.
Seán Davey, it must be said, was unlucky to hit the crossbar and O'Hara also hit a post but in truth, too many of Sligo's scoring attempts fell short or went wide.
Leitrim did not open their account until the 19th minute with a point from Glancy.
LEITRIM: C McCran; M McGuinness, J McKeon, D Reynolds; N Gilbane, B McWeeney, S Foley; C Carroll, G McCluskey; J Goldrick (1-0), B Prior, M Foley (0-3, two frees); J Glancy (0-3), C Regan, D Maxwell (0-3). Subs: D Duignan (0-2) for Gilbane (51 mins).
SLIGO: P Greene; P Naughton, N McGuire, B Phillips; D Durkin, J Martyn, J Davey (0-2, one 45); S Davey (0-2, frees), E O'Hara, B Egan, J McPartland (0-1) B Curran (0-1), A Marren, M Brehony (0-3, two frees), G McGowan. Subs: P Doohan for Naughton (29 mins), K O'Neill for Durkin (41 mins), D McTernan for McGowan (42 mins), D McGarthy for Curran (48 mins).
YELLOW CARDS: Leitrim: M McGuinness, S Foley, G McCloskey, J Glancy; Sligo: P Doohan, K O'Neill, J Martyn, M Brehony. RED CARDS: Leitrim: Foley.
Referee: S McGonigle (Donegal)
Attendance: 9,574.
