Leitrim Gaels boss Mal Guickan was quick to dismiss any thoughts of his side been this years surprise package.
Gaels caused one of the shocks of the club championship in 2025, beating defending champions Mohill 1-15 to 1-13 on Saturday evening.
“I have no clue what bookies are in the first place so I never look at that!” joked Guickan after his side were installed as favourites.
“I don't look at any of that kind of stuff. It's Mochil, it's county champions” Guickan added. “They've won X amount of championships there the last couple of years”.
“They're a good team they know themselves know what to do so like coming out with a victory here; we're happy and proud of the result”.
A turning point was Gaels keeper Peter O’Neill saving Stevie Goldrick’s first-half penalty.
“It was a brilliant save absolutely brilliant” explained Guickan. “Mohill started strong, went up a couple of points there and got back and it was tit for the hat then for a lot of it”.
“I did feel that we got the upper hand midway through the second-half” Guickan explained.
“And, like, the way the new game is, that's what it's all about. You have to be hungry, thirsty, going for that in that middle third”.
Gaels victory was even sweeter as sharp shooter Keith Beirne returned off the bench to score 1-8.
“Keith Beirne is Keith Beirne, he knows what he can do” declared Guickan. “He got a couple of scores there and to win last week and the whole lot, they'll have lots to offer this thing”.
“Watching my boys there too, or our lads, even when the pressure was on coming back with vital scores at the right times was pivotal”.
