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Mohill prevail after penalties to retain Leitrim SFC crown

Oct 13,2024

Mohill 0-17 Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's 1-14 (AET) - Mohill win 4-2 on pens

After a pulsating Leitrim senior final replay ended on level terms in Ballinamore it went to penalties to decide the issue where defending champions Mohill came out on top when Sean Harkin converted their fourth spot kick to give them victory.

Ballinamore got off to a bright start when Luke Murphy fired over after 37 seconds but Mohill equalised within the space of another 60 seconds when Keith Beirne split the uprights.

Mohill edged into a two-point lead by the fifth minute after Jordan Reynolds and Domhnaill Flynn shot points in turn with Tom Prior and Paul Honeyman keeping O'Heslin's in the frame with a similar scores in this period.

Following that Keith Keegan fired over for Mohill and Beirne tapped over a free to give their side a three- point cushion as the first quarter ended.

The challengers stayed in the hunt with Paul Honeyman (free) and Tom Prior splitting the Mohill uprights to reduce the advantage to the minimum.

Before the interval Mohill outgunned Ballinamore with Beirne hitting two points while Jordan Reynolds and Conor Quinn added a point each. The Ballinamore men replied with white flags from Paul Honeyman from a placed ball and Tom Prior.

Sean Harkin was the Mohill penalty hero

At the break Mohill enjoyed a 0-10 to 0-07 advantage

After the restart Ballinamore got back on level terms by the 40th minute thanks to points hit over Paul Prior, Paul Moran and Luke Murphy (free). But Mohill had edged four clear by the 50-minute mark after Domhnaill put over two frees while Ryan Bohan and Shane Quinn chipped in with a point each.

Ballinamore finished regulation time strongly and a Paul Honeyman converted free had them in front, only for a Jordan Reynolds point for Mohill just after the 60th minute to extra-time.

In extra time Mohill edged into a two-point lead lead by the 77th minute thanks to points from Keith Beirne (free) and Jack Rowley. Again the challengers fought back, with scores from Prior and a Paul Moran free sending the contest to a penalty shootout.

Mohill: Padraig Tighe; David Mitchell, James Mitchell, Ryan Bohan (0-01); Seán Harkin, Shane Quinn (0-01), Jack Rowley (0-01); Conor Quinn, Domhnaill Flynn (0-03, 2fs); Tadgh Mulligan, Keith Kegan (0-01), Evan Harkin (0-01); Fiachra McGuinness, Keith Beirne (0-06, 4fs), Jordan Reynolds (0-02).

Subs: Ronan Gordon for J Mitchell (53); Mathew Murphy for McGuinness (60); McGuinness for Reynolds (70); Donal Duignan for Bohan (75).

Ballinamore Seán O'Heslin's: Darren Maxwell; Mathew Murphy, Brian Banks, Patrick Connaughton; Michael McBrien, Liam Ferguson, Cathal McHugh; Shane Moran, Naoise McManus, Michael McKiernan, Wayne McKeon, Paul Moran (0-05, 1f); Luke Murphy (0-02fs), Tom Prior (1-07), Paul Honeyman.

Subs: Naoise McManus for McKiernan (53); Killian Maguire for K McHugh (63); Danny Smith for L Murphy (64); Andrew Burns for M Murphy (64); Shane Murphy for C McHugh (66).