| London remain bottom despite strong
finish BY NEIL HALLIGAN
Leitrim 1-12 London 1-4
Allianz Division 2A
 Although the
result was never in doubt after the opening quarter of Saturday’s
match Dessie Dolan’s Leitrim were made to work hard to earn their
scores by a battling London side under the floodlights in Cloone.
The encounter was a historic occasion being the first ever league match
played under floodlights in Connacht and early on it looked like Leitrim
might follow Roscommon and Longford to record a comprehensive wins over
the Exiles.
But London worked hard and tightened up as the game wore on holding Leitrim
scoreless in the final 10 minutes. It was during that period that London
scored a goal that could yet prove costly for Leitrim — Colm Foody
dispatching a penalty to the top left corner of the net.
This was certainly an improved performance from the visitors who used
their short game to good effect in the first-half as Leitrim failed to
capitalise on early chances to open the scoring.
Free-taker Ciaran Duignan registered the first score of the match in the
ninth minute but in an instant reply London scored from their first attack
as Wayne O’Sullivan sneaked his shot inside the post.
Duignan and Michael Foley added further points for the home side before
Declan Maxwell scored Leitrim’ only goal mid-way through the half.
Declan Meehan picked up his first of his two yellow cards that led to
his eventual sending off in the 21st minute.
Barry McWeeney took the resulting free kick picking out Maxwell inside
the large square and he drilled a low shot inside Evan Byrne’s left
post.
Darren Duignan added another Leitrim point before Pat Quirke replied with
London’s second point in the 34th minute — a pointed free
after a foul on Colm Foody. Michael Foley registered the last score of
a disappointing half to leave the home side leading 1-6 to 0-2.
The expected deluge of Leitrim scores in the second-half didn’t
materialise as London’s defence tightened up and the forwards almost
out-scored Leitrim in the second 35 minutes.
Substitute Emlyn Mulligan, Declan Maxwell and Ciaran Duignan all scored
early points to put Leitrim nine ahead. Pat Quirke replied with a free
before Mulligan scored his second point in just his second outing for
the county side.
Maxwell and Gavin Mc-Weeney scored Leitrim’s final points of the
half before the 60th minute as London finished strongly despite being
reduced to 14 men after Declan Meehan received his second yellow card.
Aidan Dillane scored a well-taken point in the 63rd minute, before referee
Michael McGrath awarded London a penalty in the 69th minute much to the
bemuse-ment of the home supporters.
A long ball delivered into the Leitrim square seemed to be well dealt
with by Cathal McCrann but a tangle involving a defender and an attacker
was judged to be a foul. Colm Foody placed the ball into the back of the
net with power and precision giving McCrann no chance.
London can take much heart from their performance though it’s yet
another heavy defeat and in a group of this calibre its now unlikely to
see where a victory could come from.
Kevin Waldron impressed at centre-back while midfield duo of Eamonn Brennan
and Declan Meehan worked hard. Up front Pat Quirke and the robust Colm
Foody were the pick of the forwards.
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