A DUBIOUS penalty decision by referee Des Joyce of Galway in the 64th minute, brought the scores level and sent the game into extra time in yesterday's Connacht SF championship game at Ruislip. After playing with the advantage of a stiff breeze, London's halftime lead of 0-6 to 0-1 scarcely looked sufficient, but it was in the second period that they really came into their own, with an excellent goal by substitute Frank Hussey giving them the lead with time ticking away.
It was at this juncture, however, that the penalty decision allowed Leitrim to come back from the dead, with top scorer Declan Darcy converting the spot kick.
Superior fitness gave the visitors the edge in extra time. London's usually reliable full back line conceded a soft goal when outwilled by Declan Darcy in the seventh minute of injury time. Darcy really proved his worth for Leitrim, scoring a total of 2-11 (six points from frees and one penalty). But it must be said that the attack in general was well below its best, Darcy having to make amends for the sub standard performances of his colleagues.
The home side ruled the roost in the middle of the field where London born Senan Hehir struck up a fine understanding with Mick Hesnan. The attack, too, moved with fluency and purpose, with teenager Paul Hehir scoring six points from frees. Former Fermanagh player Tommy Maguire made the most of his limited opportunities by scoring five points from play.
Leitrim owed much to a solid defence in which half back Noel Moran, Killian McLoughlin and Kieran Murray impressed, while Brendan Guckian dominated midfield. It would seem however, that on this form improvement is called for if Leitrim are to defeat Mayo in the next round.
After the game, some London players admitted to being puzzled by some of the refereeing decisions. Apart from the controversial penalty which turned the course of the game, there was also a disputed point six minutes into the second half. The score by Declan Darcy, the first by Leitrim in the second half, was waved wide by umpire Paddy Johnson, former vice president of the Provincial Council of Britain.
His decision was, however, overruled while many observers felt that London had a genuine cause for complaint.
The encouraging team performance makes the London management all the more determined to bring the County to the fore in inter county football and already there are tangible signs that London could yet make a major impact in the forthcoming National League campaign.
. Monaghan staged a magnificent second half comeback to deservedly go through to the semi final of the Ulster Minor FC, putting out a fancied Derry side in Clones yesterday.
Derry led by 2-2 to 0-5 at half time the goals coming in the third and 31st minutes. Monaghan's comeback started with a brace of points by Noel Clerkin, but the killer blows were applied with goals from Shane McManus and Padraig Swinburn in the 13th and 16th minutes of the second half. The latter adding three points to put Monaghan seven in front entering the final 10 minutes.
