Our Under 16 game with Kiltubrid scheduled for this evening has been postponed until further notice.

Our under 16 team suffered defeat in the opening game of the 9-a-side championship on Friday evening last. They went down on a scoreline of 4-8 to 2-7 to Fenagh St. Caillins in n exciting and hard fought game.

The team was as follows: Tommie McManus, Cathal McSharry, Robbie Broughton, Brian Fox, Micheal Ferguson, Ronan McGovern, Rory McLoughlin, Darren Murray, Conor Keaney. Sub: Joe McMorrow for Keaney.

The next game is this Friday evening at 7pm v Kiltrubid.

The quarter of the Leitrim Intermediate Championship in which we were due to play Fenagh-St Caillins last week but was postponed due to bad weather has been re-fixed for 5pm this Saturday evening (29th August) in Pairc Sean MacDiarmuida in Carrick-on-Shannon.

We take on Fenagh-St. Caillins on Sunday afternoon next in Ballinaglera in the quarter final of the Intermediate Championship. The game throws in at 1.30pm. Best of luck to Brian, Francie and the team. We hope to see a large crowd of supporters at the game.

There are no minor games this week due to the Leitrim Under 16 team’s involvement in the Fr. Manning competition. Our minors are currently top of their group with one game left in this competition.

The Under 16 9-a-side championship commences on Friday of this week with an away game in Fenagh at 7pm. The team have home games in the completion against Kiltrubid on the 28th August and Ballinaglera on the 4th September and game away to Aughnasheelin on the 11th September and Gortlettragh on the 18th September. All players are asked to assemble in the Rainbow car park at 5.30pm this Friday evening.

The Under-12 11-a-side championship commenced on Monday 17th August but we had a bye in the first round. The team have home games against Aughnasheelin on the 24th August, Kiltubrid on the 31st August and Cloone on the 7th September and an away game against Aughavas on the 14th September.

BORNACOOLA 2-10 GLENFARNE/KILTYCLOGHER 1-9

Despite the best efforts of the Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher players, there was to be no brave comeback in this U-14 9-a-side championship final, played in Leitrim Community field last Friday as Bornacoola secured victory after a gripping encounter.

With what seemed like a gale force wind at their back, Bornacoola opened up an emphatic nine point lead in the opening half. However, such were the conditions that both sides were having to contend with it, it was obvious the contest was far from over.

Despite playing into the strong wind, Glenfarne/Kilty opened the scoring as Joe McMorrow and Brian Fox combined before Darren Murray slotted the bal between the uprights.

However, that proved to be as good as it would get from a Glenfarne/Kilty perspective as Bornacoola made full use of the elements to take control of the game.

Kevin Shanley levelled the scoring with a well taken point and then struck for two goals in as many minutes to give his side a comprehensive lead after just nine minutes of action.

The first goal came when he raced clear of the defence before dispatching the ball beyond keeper Gary Slevin. The second goal saw Shanley control a long ball expertly as he plucked the ball from the sky with one hand before delivering a composed finish to the Glenfarne/Kilty goal.

Sean Muldowney extended the Bors lead when he converted a free and that lead was increased to nine points when Kevin Shanley pointed three minutes before the end of the half.

Having been outplayed for much of the half, Glenfarne/ Kilty finished the half impressively. Cian Rock set up Darren Murray who pointed while Joe McMorrow scored his side’s third point.

Bornacoola were to have the final say before half-time as they struck with two late points scored by Ronan Mulligan & Ciaran Campbell
With the weather showing no sign of relenting the big question was whether or not the lead of 2-6 to 0-3 would be enough to secure victory for Bornacoola.

Oisin Keaney was introduced as a half-time substitute for Glenfarne/ Kiltyclogher and within two minutes of the restart he made his presence count as he struck for his side’s first goal.

Conor Keaney did very well to evade the attention of the Bornacoola defenders and when he passed to Keaney, the well struck shot went through a crowded goalmouth and into the Bornacoola goal.

That was just the start Glenfarne/Kilty needed and they further reduced the deficit as Darren Murray and Alan McSharry both pointed.

When Darren Murray struck for his fourth point of the game, just six minutes into the second half the deficit was now down to a solitary goal and Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher appeared to be in complete control.

However, just when Bornacoola seemed to be on the verge of being hauled in, Sean Muldowney converted a free and Kevin Shanley’s 45 sailed over the bar to give the Bors the comfort of a five point lead.

With just nine minutes remaining the big question was whether or not Bornacoola had literally weathered the storm.

While the clock was against them, Glenfarne/ Kilty continued to throw everything at their opponents. A Cathal McSharry point was quickly followed by two Cian Rock points and all of a sudden the gap was just two points with only four minutes remaining.

To their credit Bornacoola never panicked, they simply took their chances when they presented themselves and the closing stages Kevin Shanley converted two frees to open up a four point lead for his side.

In injury time, Glenfarne/ Kiltyclogher were awarded a penalty when Conor Keaney was adjudged to have been fouled. Darren Murray assumed responsibility for the kick but his effort was kept out thanks to a fine save by Shane Sullivan.

That proved to be the final action of what was an absorbing encounter to which both sides contributed fully.

Bornacoola: Shane Sullivan, Brian Duffy, Liam Mulligan, Robert O’Beirne, Ciaran Campbell (0-1), Sean Muldowney (0-2), Ronan Mulligan (0-2), Kevin Shanley (2-5), Dylan Hackett.

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher: Gary Slevin, Niall McManus, Cian Rock (0-2), Conor Keaney, Cathal McSharry (0-1), Darren Murray (0-4), Joe McMorrow (0-1), Brian Fox, Alan McSharry (0-1). Subs used: Oisin Keaney (1-0) (HT)

Referee: Brian Whitney.

(c) Leitrim Observer, 2009.

GLENFARNE/KILTYCLOGHER 0-9 ST PATRICK’S DROMAHAIR 1-5

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher secured their safe passage from group 4 of the GWP Intermediate Championship in Drumshanbo on Saturday last after a one point victory over Dromahair.

Dromahair would have been favourites, not only to emerge victorious, but would have been regarded by many as one of the team’s with a real chance of claiming the intermediate championship crown.

However, on Saturday last they were defeated by a team with far more hunger.

It could be argued the long year the Dromahair players have had to endure is now taking its toll but to focus on whether or not the Dromahair players were tired would do a disservice to Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher who were worthy victors.

Enda Gallagher dominated large chunks of the game as the Dromahair midfield struggled to get a foothold while full-forward Michael Maguire was reliable with his kicking and his work rate was of great benefit to his side.

While it could be argued that Dromahair’s late surge almost saw them salvage a share of the spoils, a draw would not have been a true reflection of the game.

Glenfarne/Kilty opened the scoring with a seventh minute Michael Maguire free after what was a fairly tame opening to proceedings.

Dromahair replied with a fine point from a tight angle from David McDermott after some good passing involving Adrian Fowley and Kevin Conlan. Dromahair took the lead for the only time in the game when Shane Fowley pointed.

At this stage, it was beginning to look as though Dromahair were finding some rhythm but it was their opponents who dominated the remainder of the half.

The sides were level when Michael Maguire’s speculative effort from over 45 meters out took a wicked bounce in front of goalkeeper Padraig Flanagan before hitting the crossbar and going over.

Maguire struck again to regain the lead for his side and despite the fact that there was only a point between the sides, Dromahair looked to be struggling for ideas. When JJ McDermott picked out the unmarked Connor O’Rourke, Glenfarne’s lead was extended to two points.

A worrying aspect for Dromahair at this stage was that some of their more senior players were losing their discipline as frustration got the better of them.

Five minutes before the interval, Dromahair reduced the deficit to a solitary point as Kieran Meehan pointed. That point failed to lift the Dromahair players and Padraig Sweeney pointed in injury time at the end of the first half to leave the score 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Glenfarne/Kilty would have been reasonably happy with their first half performance and in particular their work rate but for their opponents their was plenty to discuss during the break.

Judging by the way the Dromahair players exited the dressing room, almost taking the door with them, it seemed as though the message had got through regarding what was needed.

Dromahair were much better during the opening 10 minutes of the second half and had more than enough chances to get back on level terms.

Straight from the throw-in, Paddy McGowan found his brother Christy who was fouled. Unfortunately for Dromahair the resulting free and two subsequent ones all taken by Shane Fowley were off target. When Kevin Conlan tried his luck at the free taking duties the result proved to be the same.

With almost 10 minutes played of the second half, Dromahair had a half chance for a goal. When a ball was pumped goalwards, Paddy McGowan went in with an outstretched fist but Glenfarne/Kilty keeper Daragh Keaney was alert to the danger and claimed the ball before it reached McGowan.

Christy McGowan had a chance to make amends a minute later and but his effort struck the post when it seemed as though kicking the ball over the bar would be a mere formality.

Having soaked up plenty of pressure, Glenfarne/Kilty made Dromahair pay for their wastefulness. Fergal Clancy’s point, 12 minutes into the half was the first of the half.

A breakdown in communication and sloppy passing between Kenneth Casey and Christy McGowan was punished as Padraig Sweeney struck to open up a four point lead for his side.

That lead almost became seven points but Dromahair had Fergus Meehan to thank for his goal line intervention which kept out Diarmuid Clancy’s effort. However, from the subsequent 45, Michael Maguire pointed to leave five between the sides.

Dromahair looked rattled, while Glenfarne/Kilty appeared calm and assured with everybody fully aware of what their own task was.

With 12 minutes remaining, Diarmuid Clancy pointed and it seemed as though Glenfarne were on course for a straight forward victory.

Dromahair threw Keith Carty and Brian Feeney into the fray. Carty’s first involvement in the game was to win a penalty for his side as he pulled down by a combination of two defenders as he ran towards goal.

Kevin Conlan showed no sign of nerves as he drilled the ball to the top right corner out of the reach of Daragh Keaney who dived the right way.

With nine minutes remaining, the deficit was now down to three points and Dromahair suddenly seemed to wake from their slumber. David McDermott converted a free and with the momentum now well and truly behind Dromahair, an unlikely comeback was on the cards.

Stephen Smyth went for goal instead of taking a relatively straight forward point and his shot went harmlessly wide.

With two minutes remaining, Keith Carty pointed to leave just a point between the sides, but that proved to be as close as Dromahair would get to their opponents as Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher held on for victory.

That victory ensures Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher’s safe passage into the knock out stages of the championship while Dromahair will face Drumkeerin in what is essentially a knock out tie. The winners will advance while the losers will be left to rue what might have been for another year.

Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher

Daragh Keaney, Sean McManus, Sean McLoughlin, Stephen Sweeney, John Sheerin, Conor O’Rourke (0-1), Jonathan Keaney, Enda Gallagher, Barry McDermott, Fergal Clancy (0-1), JJ McDermott, Niall Clancy, Padraig Sweeney (0-2), Michael Maguire (0-4), Diarmuid Clancy (0-1). Subs: Paul Gilligan for McManus (35 mins), Declan Sweeney for N Clancy

Dromahair

Padraig Flanagan, Brian McMorrow, Kenneth Casey, Michael McKeon, Fergus Meehan, Kieran Meehan (0-1), Barry Loughlin, Paddy McGowan, John Evans, David McDermott (0-2), Shane Fowley (0-1), Adrian Fowley, Kevin Conlan (1-0), Christy McGowan, Stephen Smyth. Keith Carty (0-1) for Evans (48 mins), Brian Feeney for S Fowley (47 mins), Martin Clancy for McDermott (58 mins)

Referee: Brendan Sammon

(c) Litrim Observer, 2009