Leitrim retained their New York senior football crown after a grueling and exhilarating eighty minutes that certainly gave the patrons good value for their money in the pleasant autumn sunshine. It had all the hallmarks of a classic final with some great individual displays, plenty of tension and drama. For Leitrim the victory was sweet while the loss was heartbreaking for a very fit and determined squad that appeared to have the game won with just thirty seconds left on the clock. Then Paul Greville curled in a shot from the left wing that needed the assistance of the upright to register on the score board and send the game into overtime.
While both sides had players who gave great individual displays, Armstrong and Ryan for Tyrone and Madden, Greville and Adrian O'Connor for Leitrim, it was midfielder Madden who outshone his rivals. His high fielding was a treat to watch while his distribution was impeccable. The big Kerryman had a colossal game and like a true Greek hero returned to lead his troops in battle after having his injuries stitched up.
Meanwhile Tyrone started in blistering fashion as Sean Armstrong had the ball over the bar after 20 seconds. Indeed this was a portent of things to come as the full forward would cause plenty of problems for the Leitrim rear guard. However on a counter attack Johnny Goldrick crossed the ball to Kenny O'Connor in the goalmouth who quickly dished it off to the in rushing Paul Greville. The rasper was deflected off the goal line by keeper Corrigan but the Tyrone defense failed to clear the ball as Big Kenny intercepted an outward pass and set up Tommy Freeman for Leitrim's opening score.
Tyrone jumped ahead after five minutes when Armstrong punished for a foul on Niall Farrell. Leitrim wasted a number of chances before Rory Woods fisted a point culminating a good move involving Freeman and Kieran Tavey that originated with a timely interception by the lively Mike Creegan.
Woods was also involved in the next score as his path to goal was illegally impeded resulting with a Freeman free putting Leitrim ahead mid-way in the period. Five minutes later Dan Doona curled in a peach of a point after Freeman and O'Connor did the approach work. Leitrim had been doing most of the pressing but Tyrone were the beneficiary of a few handy frees which Armstrong converted to leave just a point between the sides with twenty minutes gone. Tyrone finished the period strongly as Armstrong hit for his fifth point as he managed to dodge several tackles.
The Leitrim rear guard appeared to be in further trouble as a Mickey Sloan center was knocked to the inrushing Shane Ryan who unleashed a rocket that seemed destined for the top corner of the net. However a full length dive from keeper Ryan tipped it over for a point. Both sides were on 0-6 at the break.
Tyrone were first on the score board after the break as defenders Mulhern, Skeffington and Campbell continually surged forward to assist the attack as Farrell struck a lovely point with Armstrong providing the final pass. Three minutes later Tavey replied for Leitrim after Greville set him up. Then Armstrong edged Tyrone ahead with another fine effort which was quickly followed by a major strike. Seamus Skeffington took off on one of his trademark runs up the wing leaving several defenders in his wake before launching a high ball into the Leitrim goal mouth. Shane Ryan grabbed the high ball and blasted it past Pa Ryan for a goal and a four point lead with eight minutes gone. Leitrim responded by deploying Dermot Keane to steady the defense while Adrian O'Connor came in to assist Madden in the middle. The changes had the desired effect for manager James Mitchell as the defense tightened up while O'Connor certainly proved why he is known as "the Eagle" as he soared into the air for several spectacular catches.
Leitrim stepped up their performance and they would hit three of the next four points. Freeman pointed for a foul on Adrian O'Connor but Ryan answered with a superb score for Tyrone after a Campbell sortie up the field. Leitrim kept the pressure on as Freeman, Paudge O'Connor and Woods were on target to leave just a point between the sides with ten minutes left. Then Skeffington appeared to lift the siege on the Tyrone goal as he burst from defense to fire over for the O'Neill County.
However the defending champions were not going down easily as the Eagle burst through to launch a rasper that skinned the upper side of the crossbar, and soon they were level as Greville astutely knocked the ball into the path of the reliable Doona for him to point. Now the tension was rising and Tyrone responded with a majestic effort from Ryan to reclaim the lead with five minutes on the clock. Both sides wasted chances before the Greville point with just thirty seconds left snatched victory from Tyrone and saved the day for Leitrim.
In the first period of extra time both sided lost key players -- Armstrong to a hamstring while Freeman was sidelined with a second yellow card, leaving Leitrim a player short. Tyrone drew first blood as Conor Skeffington split the posts but Greville quickly replied for Leitrim. In the first period Leitrim had the upper hand despite the man deficit and were unlucky not to go further ahead as Greville had another powerful shot come back off the post but the rebound just eluded the boot of Kenny O'Connor. Leitrim went ahead in the second period as a speeding Tavey was fouled with Doona pointing the resultant free. Doona soon extended the lead with a superb long range point. Tyrone threw everything forward in the hope of a goal but they got a free. It was lofted into the goal mouth where the Eagle soared to securely catch it to make sure the cup would remain in Leitrim hands, and more particularly his hands as he was the captain.
Leitrim had many heroes on the day but in defense Creegan, Goldrick and Maguire were superb; while full back O'Connor had his hands full with Armstrong, he still did well in the second half. Madden was majestic at midfield while his partner Keane worked hard and helped steady the ship at the rear. Up front the forward division worked well as a unit with Greville shining that bit more.
However captain Adrian O'Connor certainly validated the concept of impact sub as he certainly made a huge impact when he entered the fray. Tyrone will be disappointed but they certainly played their part in making this a great final. Leitrim got nothing soft as a very fit and resolute team made them work hard. In defense Mulherne , Skeffington and Campbell battled all through. Tyrone had to play second fiddle at midfield while up front Armstrong , Ryan and Farrell were powerful and dangerous.
Leitrim: Pa Ryan, Lonan Maguire, Paudge O'Connor(0-1), Mike Creegan, Ciaran Scannell, Alan O'Sullivan, Johnny Goldrick, Pat Madden, Dermot Keane, Paul Greville(0-3), Rory Woods(0-2), Kieran Tavey(0-1), Dan Doona(0-5), Ken O'Connor, Tommy Freeman(0-5). Subs. Adrian O'Connor(0-1)(capt), Shane Sweeney, Cathal Mathews, Jeff Farrell, Kieran Power, Paddy Daly, Colm Cronin
Tyrone: Damien Corrigan, Joe Bell, Aidan Power, Paul Mulherne, Niall Maguire, Ciaran Campbell, Seamus Skeffington(0-1), Conor McNabb, Brendan McGourty, Shane Ryan(1-4), Michael Sloan, Darren Doherty, Niall Farrell(0-1), Sean Armstrong(0-6), Ryan Canavan. Subs. Conor Skeffington(0-1), Michael Gallagher, Donal Hartnett, Patrick Maguire, Jason Killeen, Steve Keating. Referee John Fitzpatrick, Man of Match Pat Madden.
F.B.D Final
On next Sunday the New York footballers take on Mayo in the final of the FBD league at Gaelic Park. This is a repeat of last year's final which was played at Rockland with Mayo winning rather easily. This year New York is faced with another daunting task in this clash as Mayo were the most successful team in Connacht last year. They won the Connacht championship before eventually being eliminated from the All-Ireland at the semifinal stage by Kerry after a very commendable performance. In addition Mayo were unbeaten in the FBD league while they also reached the later stages of the National league. At this stage an official panel has not been forwarded to the press but it has been reported that most of the championship panel are available to travel.
Meanwhile, New York's performances in their last two county games have been very poor. Though they performed admirably in the first half against Mayo last year, they were routed in the second half managing just to register one point while their opponents struck for a dozen with relative ease. There was no joy against Roscommon either in the championship as the Big Apple footballers were totally outclassed and outplayed for most of the game. There was a vast chasm in the fitness and skill levels between the respective teams as was evident by the way Roscommon carried the ball from defense to eventually slice through the New York defense.
