JOHN O'MAHONY ended a four year reign as manger of the Leitrim team when he said an emotional goodbye to the players in the losing dressing room moments after defeat in Tuam yesterday. During his time in charge O'Mahony guided Leitrim to their first Connacht title after 67 years in 1994.

The players gave him a standing ovation despite feeling devastated in the wake of defeat. He will, however, remain with the county's under 21 players until their campaign ends.

"It was great fun and adventure being in charge of this team of fine players and a real pleasure to be associated with the people of Leitrim," said O'Mahony.

"Defeat today is a great disappointment for us. We should haven been given a penalty and a goal at that stage in the first half would have been the turning point. But, that's football. We did not play to full potential until the last ten minutes or so."

Galway manager Bosco McDermott insisted "we are on a mission with a team playing better than they did last year. My first thoughts go out to Leitrim for a game display. My second thought has all to do with the great character our team displayed in holding them off.