Famous victory for Leitrim over Mayo in Ballinamore

Leitrim secured a famous 3-12 to 0-16 victory over Mayo in the Eirgrid Connacht GAA Under 20 Football Championship in Ballinamore this evening.

Inspired by local man Paul Honeyman, who scored 10 points for the home side and had a hand in two of their three goals, Leitrim – managed by former Mayo great Andy Moran – were full value for a victory that throws the championship wide open.

While Honeyman shone, it wasn't a one-man show by any means as Ben Guckian and senior Leitrim panellists Barry McNulty and Jack Foley got through some great work too.

Guckian scored their first goal on 10 minutes after Darragh Beirne (free) and Tom O'Flaherty had pointed for Mayo either side of a successful Honeyman free for the home side.

Two points on the trot from Tom Lydon, who had come on for the injured Darragh Reilly, followed by one from the lively Oisín Cronin meant Mayo went in at the break just a point in arrears (0-8 to 1-6) having trailed by four at one stage, Honeyman proving lethal when given the chance, while McNulty chipped in with a point from play.

While Beirne kicked Mayo level early in the second half with a free, Leitrim had a whirlwind few minutes to go ahead by seven (3-8 to 0-10) by the 40th minute, the goals courtesy of Paul Moran and Jack Casey.

Further efforts from Niall Hurley, who had a effort on goal saved by the Leitrim netminder, and Beirne, with another free, reduced the gap, but Leitrim were always able to respond thanks to Honeyman and Casey, and they survived the loss of Darren Cox for 10 minutes to a black card later in the half.

Points from Beirne (two frees), O'Flaherty (two) and Hurley left Mayo with a glimmer of hope but the goal they needed never materialised.

Beirne crashed a late free off the bar and between the posts, while an even later lob into the danger area was plucked from the air by McNulty, the Leitrim midfielder breaking clear with the ball before the final whistle sounded on a memorable win for his team.

Leitrim: B. Cull; A. Oberwan, T. Hughes, E. McNamara; J. Foley, P. Keane, N. McManus; B. McNulty (0-1), B. Guckian (1-0); M. McBrien, P. Moran (1-0), J. Casey (1-1, 1f); J. Tobin, P. Honeyman (0-10, 7f, 2m), D. Cox.

Subs used: T. Plunkett, J. McGloin.

Mayo: D. Dolan; D. Slattery, E. McGreal, R. Mortimer; D. Duffy, S. Morahan, B. Collins; C. Dawson, L. Moore; O. Cronin (0-1), C. Keaveney, T. O'Flaherty (0-4, 2f); D. Beirne (0-6, 5f), N. Hurley (0-3), D. Reilly.

Subs used: T. Lydon (0-2), J. Melvin, P. Gilmore, L. Maloney.

Referee: A. Clogher (Roscommon).