New York GAA: McGuigan Leads Tyrone to Victory, Jackson Eight Is a Hit, Quiet Win for Leitrim

Exciting Tie Goes to Gaels, Great Weekend for New York

Man of the match: Robbie Jackson (Galway).

Quiet Win for Leitrim

Leitrim 2-9 Armagh 1-7

THE calm after the hurling storm. It is always difficult for a football encounter to live up to the rapid fire scoring of a hurling contest, and that was the case Sunday when Leitrim quietly took the points against Armagh on Sunday.

Two goals, one each side of the halftime whistle, set them up for the victory, and the defense never allowed Armagh any clear cut chances in the second half.

Leitrim jumped out into a two point lead in the first six minutes, with Donal Hartnett getting two and Rory Woods crashing a bullet of the crossbar.

After Cian Reynolds and Paddy King swapped scores, Hartnett had a further brace to give his side a 0-6 to three lead with 22 minutes gone.

Armagh actually had their best period in the aftermath. Kevin McGeeney was instrumental, with Shane Conlon, Morgan and McGeeney himself all on the mark while Paddy Kelly had a score at the other end.

With the half reaching its conclusion, Armagh appeared to relax and Leitrim took advantage. A four player move that involved Woods and Hartnett at its fruitation finished with Dan Doona having the easy task of fisting to the net.

They added 1-1 in the first 14 minutes of the second half and never allowed Armagh to threaten the posts.

Armagh did have a unique goal from Chris Morton when he met a cross from Conlon with a cracking header but they were always playing catch-up. A source said that the last man to head a goal at the Mecca was the brilliant Brian McCabe. 

Mark Dobbins and McGeeney traded scores to complete the afternoon and Leitrim were home free. 
Leitrim will be very happy with the defensive showing in this one. Mike Creegan was his usual energetic self and Shane Maher was tremendous throughout, always throwing his body around.

Paddy Kelly was effective while Kenny O’Connor did a lot of good work in front of the keeper when Armagh was raining ball into the box. He also barreled into the pressbox and it certainly felt as if he shifted it.

Donal Hartnett continues his shooting prowess; he has a sweet touch for scores. Mark Dobbins returned to senior football and came into the game as it progressed.

Armagh had good performances from John Lynch, Kevin McGeeney and Seamus McDaid, who did a lot of good spade work in the trenches. They need some fire power in front of goal, however.

Leitrim: 1 Conor O’Loughlin, 2 Mike Creegan, 3 Damien Walsh, 4 James Grant, 5 Henry Mitchell, 6 Darren Walsh, 7 Shane Maher, 8 Paddy Kelly (0-1), 9 Ken O’Connor, 10 Cian Reynolds (0-1), 11 Rory Woods, 12 Emmitt Killeen, 13 Mark Dobbins (0-2), 14 Dan Doona (1-1), 15 Donal Hartnett (1-4). Subs: Danny O’Sullivan, Paddy Daly, James Mitchell.

Armagh: 1 Alan Hearty, 2 Collie Fearan, 3 Patsy Martin, 4 Raymie Kane, 5 Aiden Morton, 6 Stuart Stokes, 7 John Lynch, 8 Paddy King (0-1), 9 Kevin McGeeney (0-3), 10 Gary Nugent, 11 Seamus Toner, 12 Seamus McDaid, 13 Ken Cox, 14 Richie Morgan (0-2), 15 Matthew Cartman. Subs: Ciaran Conlon (0-1), Chris Morton (1-0).

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