Leitrim Gaels claimed their first Leitrim senior football championship after just 18 years in existence.
Paul Honeyman opened the scoring from play after four minutes for Ballinamore. Leitrim Gales responded inside a minute when Stephen McGoldrick opened Gaels account for slotting over a free.
Gaels moved into a three-point lead when Garvan Jones landed two points, followed by an excellent Donal Casey point taken on the run.
Ballinamore responded when Paul Honeyman tapped over a free. Honeyman marvellously struck a two pointer from the ground to bring his side level after 16 minutes.
Shane Moran and Jamie Rynn exchanged points before Paul Honeyman again expertly fired over a two-point free from the deck; moving Ballinamore into a one-point lead approaching half-time.
Stephen Goldrick levelled proceedings in first-half injury time as the teams went to the break level. Seven points each.
Paul Honeyman and man-of-the-match Jamie Rynn traded scores early in the second-half before Wayne McKeon stepped up two score an excellent two pointer.
David Bruen and Jamie Rynn both scored points in quick succession as the sides were again level on 38 minutes. Aidan Flynn then fisted Leitrim Gaels into the lead.
A Paul Honeyman free drew proceedings level again, before the defining moment of the game came in the 41st minute.
Regan finds the Ballinamore net
An Aidan Flynn shot came back off the post and David Regan was fastest to respond to the loose ball, rifling a shot to the roof of the Ballinamore net.
Donal Feely got a much-needed score for Ballinamore as they trailed by two after 45 minutes. Garvan Jones and Michael McKiernan traded scores for either side before Leitrim Gaels took control of the contest.
A David Regan point followed by a two-point Garvan Jones free put Leitrim Gaels into a five-point 54th minute lead.
Another Garvan Jones free was followed by an excellent two-pointer form Stephen Goldrick in the 58th minute, which all but sealed the victory for Leitrim Gaels.
Donal Casey fisted over for Leitrim Gaels before Paul Honeyman kicked the final score of the afternoon.
Gaels running out eight-point winners on a score-line of 1-19 to 0-14, claiming a first Leitrim senior title, just 28 years on following the clubs formation.
Congratulations to Leitrim Gaels who are County Champions 2025
🏆 #ConnachtGold - Senior - FINAL#LeitrimClubChamp | #GAABelong pic.twitter.com/xV0qz26sDl
— Leitrim GAA (@LeitrimGAA) October 19, 2025
