Leitrim Gaels maintained their winning run in the Connacht Gold SFC with a nine point win over fellow parishioners and fierce rivals St Mary's Kiltoghert.
The Gaels led by Jamie Rynn goal at half-time and held Mary’s scoreless for the final 15 minutes writes Darren Mulvey.
Donal Casey opened the scoring for the Gaels inside 30 seconds. However, that was quickly replied to by a Paul Keaney two-pointer free.
The Gaels wasted good chances in the following minutes, Stephen Goldrick and Aidan Flynn shooting wide before Shaun Chandler equalised in the ninth minute.
However, Keaney again had the response and fired over his second two-pointer free. Keaney, followed-up with a point from play; another good effort from former captain Nicholas McWeeney from wide on the right and Mary's led six points to two ahead after 12 minutes.
Garvan Jones got in on the two points act, firing over a free. However, again Keaney answered and Cian Reynolds also pointed from play, leaving Marys 0-8 to 0-4 ahead on 15 minutes.
The game was played with plenty of needle and frees were the order of the day. Indeed, Leitrim Gaels worked their way straight back into it.
The game's only goal came on 18 minutes. A Garvan Jones shot hit the post and fell into the path of wing-back Jamie Rynn who fired a shot through the bodies on the Mary's line into the net.
It was sandwiched between two Leitrim Gaels two-pointer feee’s from Garvan Jones and Goldrick. The hosts coming from 8-4 down to lead 1-8 to eight points on 23 minutes.
A Keaney free and Chandler swapped points as Mary's pushed hard to try to level the game before the break.
Gaels ahead at the break
A good score from Oisín Bohan down the left and another Keaney free inched Mary’s closer. However, Connall Jones landed a monster two-pointer off his left to send the hosts in three-up at half-time. 1-11 to 0-11.
Donal Casey again opened the second-half scoring, after Keaney saw two free attempts drift wide. Whereas, Keaney got Marys going in the second-half from play five minutes in.
Then came Mary's best chance of a goal as they picked off the Leitrim Gaels kick-out. Quick hands from Daire Farrell and Cian Singleton sprang Conor Hackett through on goal. However, his shot was well blocked by Cull and the goal scorer Rynn on the line.
Mary's keeper Killian Gaffey sent the resultant 45 wide.
Mary's had it back to two points with 15 minutes remaining through a Keaney brace. However, that would be their last score of the game as the Gaels hit their purple patch.
Two points in a minute from Jamie Rynn and Aidan Flynn were followed by a tap over Gorldrick free for an off the ball Conor Farrell foul.
Goldrick landed a huge two-pointer putting seven between the sides with six minutes remaining.
Mary's fight back downed
The final minutes were very stop start, as both sides were guilty of fouling as they tried to secure the momentum in the final minutes.
Connall Jones saw another two pointer effort sail over, this time off his right. Indeed, Mary's ended with 14 men, Mark Diffley getting his marching orders following an off the ball tussle with Liam Chandler.
Leitrim Gaels making it three wins from three winning out 1-20 to 14-points, securing knockout football. The Gaels have a chance to go direct to a semi-final with a win away to Glencar Manorhamilton in two weeks’ time.
St. Mary's destiny is only somewhat in their own hands. They host Ballinamore Sean O’Hesloin’s in Round four and must better Aughawillan's result against Mohill to progress.
