Final Niall in coffin is difference
Ballinamore Mohill
1-16
0-17
Leitrim SFC final
BY PJ LEDDY
A 57TH MINUTE goal from Niall Mcgovern gave Ballinamore a first Leitrim title in 31 years at the end of a cracking county final in Carrick-on-shannon.
It was all square approaching the break on 0–8 each after a Keith Beirne ‘45’ and a free for defending champions Mohill with Keith Keegan and Sean Harkin putting over points.
Ballinamore were in touch thanks to a Wayne Mckeon brace (one free) as well as Michael Mckiernan and Tom Prior scores.
Shane Quinn hit a point in first half added time to put Mohill 10-9 ahead.
The holders led by 0–14 to 0–13 at the second water break after an exchange of points at opposite ends by Mohill’s Keith Beirne and
Ballinamore’s Shane Moran.
In front of watching county boss Andy Moran, Ballinamore upped their game after the restart and drew level with a point from Senan Harte and veteran Mckeon added another point to put them ahead.
Then came the game’s defining moment as Niall Mcgovern found space to drive through on goal and he produced a cool low finish to the corner.
Mohill cut the gap to the minimum after Daniel Beck, Keith Beirne (free) and Keith Keegan fired over but Ballinamore took the lead out to two again when Dean Mcgovern shot over. SCORERS - Ballinamore: W Mckeon 0–5, 2f, S Moran 0–3, D Mcgovern 1–0, T Prior 0–2, L Murphy 0–3f, N Mcgovern 0–1, M Mckiernan 0–1, S Harte 0–1, P Connaughton 0–1.
Mohill: K Keegan 0–2, K Beirne 0–10, 4f, J Reynolds 0–2, S Quinn 0–1, D Beck 0–1, Seán Harkin 0 – 1.