Tyrone, the only unbeaten team so far in this year's championship, were knocked off their pedestal by a resurgent Leitrim squad at Gaelic Park on Saturday evening.
Such was the superiority of Leitrim that apart from Tyrone's Donal Hartnett getting the opening score after two minutes, the O'Neill county would not score again for a full forty minutes. Leitrim dominated throughout as midfielders O'Connor and Keane provided quality ball to the forwards that play maker Woods distributed very intelligently to Tommy Freeman, Ken O'Connor and Paul Greville and company to register some very impressive scores.
Meanwhile the tenacious tackling and controlled aggression of the Leitrim defense, particularly the O'Sullivans, Goldrick, and O'Connor never allowed Tyrone to develop their trademark field sweeping moves.
Leitrim's opening score came from Ryan Sullivan disrupting a typical Tyrone tactic as he parlayed the robbed ball on to Freeman for him to hit the target after six minutes. Freeman followed with another three minutes later. A minute later Ken O'Connor goaled as the midfielders worked the ball to set up the big strike for the big man. The big man was also involved in the next score as Dan Doona picked him out with a good diagonal ball but he was flagrantly dragged down as he bore down on goals. Freeman pointed the free and soon added another as the tenacious Ryan Sullivan won a free. Over the last ten minutes Leitrim would add four more points, leaving them ahead by 1-8 to 0-1 at the break.
Leitrim continued to dominate and dictate as they landed three points courtesy of Freeman (2) and Ken O'Connor in the first ten minutes after the break. Tyrone finally ended the long drought as Shane Ryan pointed finishing a nice move involving Joe Bell, Brendan McGourty and Paul Cahill. He soon added two more. At the other Dan Doona, who has had better days at the office, finished off the lead up play of scorer in chief Freeman and the dual player Greville with a point. Then a temporary lapse in a generally flawless Leitrim defense allowed Ryan in for a goal as he snuck in between the rear guard to latch on to a well-delivered side line ball to crash it to the net.
However, Leitrim's Tommy Nolan just off the bench responded in kind with a major of his own while Michael Coleman finished out the scoring with a point to conclude a tough game that was on occasion too close to the edge.
For Leitrim the championship trophy is now clearer on the horizon. Tyrone must regroup as rarely have they been so outplayed for so long.
Leitrim Pa Ryan, Kevin O'Brien, Paudge O'Connor, Johnny Goldrick, Ryan Sullivan, Alan O'Sullivan, Kieran Scannell, Dermot Keane, Adrian O'Connor(0-2), Paul Greville(0-1), Rory Woods, Kieran Tavey, Dan Doona(0-1), Ken O'Connor(1-1), Tommy Freeman(0-8) Subs Lonan McGuire, Mike Creegan, Colm Cronin, Jeff Farrell, Tommy Nolan(1-0), Cathal Mathews, Paddy Daly Tyrone Damien Corrigan, Paul Mulhern, Aidan Power, Joe Bell, Steve Keating, Brendan McGourty, Seamus Skeffington, Conor McNabb, Jason Killeen, Donal Hartnett(0-1), Shane Ryan(1-3), Michael Sloan, Niall Farrell, Michael Coleman(0-1), Paul Cahill Subs Ciaran Campell, Michael Gallagher, Conor Skeffington, Patrick McGuire, Adam Fitzgerald, Darren Doherty, Declan Garvey, Neil McGuire, Niall Cunningham Referee Martin O'Connor Man of Match Adrian O'Connor
Westmeath, Celtics share spoils
The exchanges were evenly balanced as both sides hit for three points in the opening quarter as Sean Fagan, Vinny Gavin and Killian Moran had Westmeath's scores while Kenny Cox, Ciaran Sloan and Dan O Connell replied for Celtics. Then the Lakesiders seemed to gradually moving ahead as they hit five unanswered points with Gavin(2), Fagan(2) and Dean Barrett the scorers. With five minutes left a good delivery from Kenny Cox set up Richie Morgan for a cracker of a goal to bring the Celtics back into the game. Gavin finished out the scoring with a massive free from sixty five yards to leave Westmeath ahead by 0-9 to 1-3 at the break. Keeper McArdle also produced a super save from Barrett to keep the deficit manageable.
On the resumption Morgan and Barrett traded points before Gary Nugent and Cathal Loughnane landed a brace to leave just the minimum between the sides as the midway stage approached. However a good run by Pierce Loftus ended with substitute Dave Donigan pointing to give Westmeath some breathing space, but not for long. Dan O'Connell picked up a good delivery from Mike Burke and he raced through the middle to rattle the net and give the Celtics the lead for the first time with ten minutes left on the clock. Then Danny O'Sullivan increased the lead after he finished a nice give and go from Cox for a point. However Darren Petit became the proverbial impact sub as he finished the rebound from his first attempt to the net after an incisive run by Loftus from defense. He followed with a point to give his team a cushion of two with three minutes left, but it was not enough. The Celtics rallied and Gary Nugent became their hero and savior as he pointed both from a free and play to tie up the game, which was a very fair result.
Westmeath Leon Carbury, Mike Downey, Kieran Sheridan, Kevin Dunne, Pierce Loftus, Ray Keenan, Alan Dunne, Vinny Gavin(0-3), Killian Moran(0-1), James Stones, Dean Barrett(0-2), Mike Hayes, Andy Carroll, Mark Downes, Sean Fagan(0-4) Subs Anto Kelly, Darren Petit(1-1), Dave Donigan(0-1) Celtics Kevin McArdle, Sean Coyle, Ray Creegan, Mike Burke, Joe Bishop, Ger McCullough, Dean McDermott, Derek McKenna, Dan O'Connell(1-1), Richie Morgan(1-1), Ciaran Sloan(0-1), Gary Nugent(0-3), John McArdle, Cathal Loughnane(0-1), Ken Cox(0-1) Subs Danny O'Sullivan(0-1), Brian Greene Referee Dave Ryan Man of Match Gary Nugent
Offaly too much for Tipp
Offaly maintained their good form as they were rarely troubled in this senior hurling clash by the Tipp men. They started well and had five points on the board in seven minutes courtesy of Shane McNaughton(2), Shane Kelly(2) and Eoghan Drumgoole, while Shane Dooley, the Offaly star though in Tipp's color, here had one for his team. Despite his impressive performances on the other side, he was well curtailed by Offaly's sterling defense at Gaelic Park. Donie Broderick extended Offaly's lead and keeper Rory Murray did well to save a rasper from Derek Molloy.
However at the other end Dooley made the most of a poor clearance to rattle the net. Offaly responded quickly to negate the goal with a trio of points from Shane Hartley and McNaughton(2). Niall Gary and Dooley added a brace while Molloy had a single to finish the first half leaving the Faithful County ahead by 0-10 to 1-3 at the short whistle.
A two-goal strike by Shane Sweeney after the break left the game well beyond Tipp's reach. The setting was quite similar for both majors as Shane Kelly delivered the sliotar to Sweeney and the big man just sees twines bulging when he is in that situation.
Tipp also lost a man to a second yellow card.
Judging by today's display, Offaly will be strong favorites to retain their title and enhance their standing in the roll of honor.
Tipperary Rory Murray, Paddy Tuohey, Conor Hayes, David Liddy, Brian Burke, Enna McInerney, Enda O'Loughlin(0-2), Colin Parlon(0-1), James Kavanagh(0-1), Paul Loughnane(0-2), Niall Gary(0-1), James Williams(0-1), Shane Dooley(1-3). Subs John Madden, JJ Butler, John Saddler, Edmund Galvin Offaly Brian McNaughton, Sean O'Sullivan, Matt Cashman, Diarmuid Lyng, Brendan McGourty, Diarmuid Hehir, Shane Kelly(0-2), Eoghan Drumgoole(0-2), Donie Broderick(0-3), Derek Molloy(0-1), Pat Hartley(0-4), Shane Sweeney(2-1), Shane McNoughton(0-7) Subs Richie Hartnett, Ciaran O'Keefe, Thomas Cashman Referee Eugene Kyne Man of Match Diarmuid Lyng
Armagh win vs. poor Kingdom
In this senior football clash a much more committed and purposeful Armagh team had a relatively easy victory over a rather surprisingly inept Kingdom squad. A good indication of Armagh's versatility was that nine different players hit the target. After ten minutes the Orchard county led by seven points to one with Kyle Carragher(3), Caolan Short, Carl McAvery and Ciaran Connolly on the mark while Barry John Walsh had Kerry's score.
With a plentiful supply coming from midfielders Donnelly and Sheridan the busy Armagh forwards had the Kerry defense continually stretched. Kevin Rogers and Steve Sheridan knocked over a brace while at the other end Walsh had two points from frees.
With five minutes left a fine catch by Rogers on the end line and a quick pass to McAvery set up the inrushing Connolly for Armagh's first goal. A late point by Kevin Walsh left Armagh leading comfortably by 1-9 to 0-5 at the break.
Armagh were quickly out of the blocks as Alan McFearon, Short and Connolly scored in the opening five minutes. Kerry did create a few chances but CJ Molloy and Barry John Walsh blasted over when an option to go under was a real possibility. In addition Alan Hearty executed a fine save at the expense of a "45" which Barry John pointed.
At the midway stage Donnelly landed a fine effort from midfield before a good movement that began in defense by McAvery ended with Connolly striking his second goal. There was no way back for Kerry now but they did win a penalty when Alan O'Donoghue was grounded in the square. Kevin Walsh struck the penalty well sending the keeper the wrong way, but it had no effect other beyond take the miserable look of the score board for Kerry.
Armagh responded empathically as points from Carragher, Sheridan and Connolly accentuated their overall superiority and team work in a thoroughly deserved victory.
Armagh Alan Hearty, Stuart Stokes, Patsy Martin, Brian Rogers, Caolan Short(0-2), Eddie Greenan, Carl McAvery(0-1), James Donnelly(0-2), Steve Sheridan(0-2) ,Kevin McGeeney(0-1), Kevin Rogers(0-1), Alan McFearon(0-1), Ciaran Connolly(2-4), Brian Murphy, Kyle Carragher(0-4) Subs Donal Hearty, Conor King, Chris Morton, Eoghan McPartlin, Richie Morgan, Collie Fearon.Kerry Shane Clifford, Darren Courtney, Anthony Glacken, Niall Corbett, Eoghan O'Mahoney, Kieran Quirke, Jonathon Lyng, Ambrose O'Donovan, Mike Jim Fitzgerald, Kevin Walsh(1-1), Diarmuid Lyng, Ross O'Donovan, Alan O'Donoghue, CJ Molloy(01), Barry John Walsh(0-6). Subs Darren Moore, Nobby Smith, Finbar Flood Referee Paddy Gormley Man of Match Ciaran Connolly
Astoria have div. momentum
In the opening minutes Sean Murtagh and Packie Downey exchanged points before Shane Sweeney goaled for Astoria to put them ahead after five minutes. For the next quarter Brooklyn had the better of the exchanges as scores from Ryan Jones, Darren Moore, Sean Murtagh and Caoimhin O'Callaghan put them ahead.
However for the last five minutes Astoria began to hit form as they responded with points from Robbie Moran, Derek McKenna and the goal scorer Sweeney to lead by 1-4 to 0-5 at the break.
In the second half Astoria maintained the momentum as Seamus Kelly and Moran landed points before Kelly goaled culminating a great run by Downey.
Brooklyn picked up the pace as points from Moore, Jones and Paudie Poland kept them in touch but a brace from Moran still had them two goals adrift midway. Then the Brooklyn cause got a great boost as Paudie Poland cut through for a powerful goal which was followed by an uplifting point by Moore. However their spirits would rise no further as once again another typical defense splitting run by Downey set up Liam Farrell for a goal.
Though both sides would add late points, Astoria had the points safely in the bag as they continue to consolidate their position in the intermediate division.
Astoria Gaels Pa Ryan, Des White, Fergal Murphy, Joe Scully, Sean McQueeney, Sean Kelly, James O'Brien, Robbie Moran(0-6), Sam Yore, Shaun Munnelly, Derek McKenna(0-1), Shane Sweeney(1-1), Mark Dobbin, Packie Downey(0-1), Nestor Allen Subs Brian Geraghty, Liam Farrell(1-0), Seamus Kelly(1-1) Brooklyn LI Gaels Gavin Dwyer, Tommy Boyle, Paudie O'Rourke, Donal McKeon, Billy McGee, John McRory, Caoimhin O Callaghan(0-1), Eamon Toner, Ryan Jones(0-2) James Connolly, Sean Murtagh(0-2), Declan McAleer, Paudi Poland(1-2), Gary Moore, Darren Moore(0-4) Referee Tom Fahey Man of Match Robbie Moran
