Last Saturday afternoon Leitrim football was on a high heading into the division four final with Laois.
While, that bubble was burst, the high returned last Wednesday night as Andy Moran’s U20 side put Mayo away.
However, the landmark victory has come at some cost. Paul Honeyman, Barry McNulty and Jack Foley are all ineligible for Sunday’s Connacht quarter-final with Sligo.
Although Leitrim have plenty of positives heading into the game. Ryan O’Rourke was top scorer across the four divisions. Nevin O’Donnell offers something at bottom ends of the pitch.
However, Sligo have moved on since beating Leitirm to promotion last season. Finishing fourth in division three with four wins.
This came after a tough All-Ireland championship campaign in 2023. A draw with Kildare was a followed by defeats to Dublin and Roscommon to a combined 4-44 conceded.
Tony McEntee has done a great job with Sligo since 2020. 2021 was the write-off covid championship. 2022 saw a Tailteann cup semi-final.
If weather forces this one to be moved to Dr. Hyde Park, than McEntee may just out fox Leitrim once again.
Leitrim v Sligo, Sunday April 7, Avantmoney Pairc Sean MacDiaramada. Throw-in: 3:30pm - Live on Shannonside FM.
Leitrim: Nevin O’Donnell, Conor Reynolds, Mark Diffley, Aidan Flynn, Donal Wrynn, Mark Plunkett, Adam Reynolds, Jack Gilheany, Pearce Dolan, Tom Prior, Ryan O’Rourke, Paul Keaney, Riordan O’Rourke, Darragh Rooney, Evan Sweeney.
Subs: Kilian Gaffey, James Rooney, Kieran Clancy, Stephen McLoughlin, Jamie McGreal, Radek Oberwan, Jack Flynn, Shane Quinn, Conor Quinn, Barry McNulty, Jack Foley.
Sligo: Aidan Devaney, Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Paul McNamara, Peter Laffey, Nathan Mullen, Darragh Cummins, Sean Carrabine, Canice Mulligan, Cian Lally, Alan McLaughlin, Eoghan Smith, Paul Kilcoyne, Niall Murphy, Lee Deignan.
Subs: Daniel Lyons, Brian Cox, Daire O'Boyle, Donal Conlon, Dylan Walsh, Keelan Cawley, Patrick O'Connor, David Quinn, Mikey Gordon, Mark Walsh, Luke Casserly.
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)
