Leitrim 4-18
Roscommon 0-8

by Ivan Smyth

Leitrim were crowned TG4 Connacht intermediate champions as a devastating display saw them blow away the challenge of Roscommon at Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick on Shannon.

Jonny Garrity’s side were deserving winners as their razor tight defence, tenacity in the tackle and pace in attack proved too much for an out of sorts Roscommon to handle.

Player of the match Leah Fox excelled throughout, Muireann Devaney starred with 1-10, 1-7 from play, while Laura O’Dowd registered 2-4.

With the TG4 Connacht intermediate championship not being held last year, Leitrim started with a determination to ensure they repeated their success in 2024. Interestingly, Leitrim chose to start Michelle Guckian in goal.

The Leitrim captain strode forward to kick the game’s opening score from a free as Leitrim kicked 1-7 without reply in a blistering opening 18 minutes. Roscommon appeared edgy as Leitrim hassled and harried the visitors at every turn. 

Lauren O’Dowd grabbed two terrific points before she latched on to Leah Fox’s pass to rifle to the net. Devaney, who kicked 0-7 in the opening half, pushed her side 1-7 to no score ahead after 18 minutes.

Roscommon got off the mark through Megan McKeon, but O’Dowd struck again when she produced a brilliant soccer-style finish to the net. Aisling Hanly replied for Roscommon, but the lively corner forward was denied by Guckian before Devaney was thwarted by Cummins moments later.

However, the outstanding Devaney bagged two late scores in the half to help Leitrim lead 2-10 to 0-2 at half time.

Leitrim showed their ruthless streak as despite early scores from Hanly and Aisling Feely giving Roscommon cause for cheer, Leitrim raided for goal number three in the 37th minute. Leah Fox’s sensational outside of the boot pass found Vivienne Egan, who wrong footed Cummins before coolly slotting to the net.

Devaney continued to torment the Roscommon defence as she slotted two classy points. In the 42nd minute, Fox proved provider once more, as she won turnover ball before finding Devaney, who produced a classy finish under Cummins.

Roscommon battled on but Leitrim were miserly in defence while Guckian denied sub Rachel Fitzmaurice and Feely with two fine saves. When Feely saw her 20m free blocked on the line in the game’s final action, Leitrim could celebrate a terrific triumph.

Scorers for Leitrim: M Devaney 1-10 (3f), L O’Dowd 2-4, V Egan 1-1, M Guckian (1f), D Beirne and L Fox 0-1 each.

Roscommon: A Feely 0-3, A Hanly and L Shanagher 0-2 each, M McKeon 0-1.

LEITRIM: M Guckian; N Morahan, C Tyrrell, J Maye; S Reynolds, L Devaney, D Beirne; A Gilmartin, A Devaney; D Rooney, L Fox, L O’Dowd; V Egan, M Devaney, K Gormley. Subs: C Dolan for A Devaney 45, R McIntyre for L Devaney 51, S Ward for M Devaney 52, S Quinn for K Gormley 52, N Tighe for D Rooney 54.

ROSCOMMON: H Cummins; Á McGrath, Á Conaughton, E Irwin; M McKeon, S Wynne, G Lohan; R Cox, A Curran; N Feeney, N Watson, E Thompson; A Hanly, A Feely, C Lennon. Subs: R Fitzmaurice for Lohan half-time, R Brady for M McKeon 44, L Shanagher for N Feeney 44, C Cunningham for C Lennon 44.

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).

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