O’Rourke shines as Leitrim go up

Inspired by in-form Ryan O’Rourke, Leitrim turned in a solid second-half performance to overcome Tipperary and gain promotion to Division 3 at Carrick-on-Shannon.

Leitrim started brightly as Darragh Rooney hit three successive points before the visitors responded with Jack Kennedy, Evan Comeford, Conall Kennedy and Paddy Creedon all finding the range to edge Tipp in front.

But with Dar rag h Rooney maintaining his accuracy from play and placed balls, Leitrim edged a point ahead (0-7 to 0-6) at the interval.

The hosts upped the ante after the restart with O’Rourke leading the charge and by the 46th minute, Tipp were trailing by five.

The Munster men tried to muster a response and despite a brace of points from Jack Kennedy, they were unable to make any significant inroads and further points from O’Rourke ensured the home sid could coast to a comfortable victory which sees them in a Division 4 final with Laois.

SCORERS – Leitrim: D Rooney 0-7 (5f); R O’Rourke 0-6 (2f); D Wrynn, T Prior 0-1 each. Tipperary: J Kennedy 0-4 (1m, 1f); E Comeford, C Kennedy, P Creedon, S Neville, M Russell 0-1 each. LEITRIM: N O’Donnell 8; C Reynolds 7, D Casey 8, A Flynn 7; P Dolan 6, M Diffley 8, J Foley 7; J Gilheaney 6, B McNulty 7; M Plunkett 6, Ryan O’Rourke 9, D Wrynn 7; T Prior 6, D Rooney 8, Riordan O’Rourke 6. Subs: S Quinn 5 for Plunkett (49); J Rooney 5 for Reynolds (52); P Keaney for Prior (60); E Sweeney for D Rooney (69). TIPPERARY: E Comerford 8; T Condron 6, J Feehan 6, J Morris 5; S Grogan 6, P Feehan 7, K Costello 6; S Neville 7, C Kennedy 8; C O’Shaughnessy 5, T Doyle 5, P McGarry 5; M Lowry 5, P Creedon 5, J Kennedy 8. Subs: C Cadell 5 for Lowry (h-t); M Russell 5 for Creedon (42); J Kennedy 5 for McGarry (53); J Leamy for Neville (57); R O’Dowd for C Kennedy (61). REF: M Farrelly (Cavan).