CONNACHT SFC QUARTERFINAL/ Leitrim 0-15 London 0-10: Poor shooting by their forwards when enjoying a monopoly of play in the opening quarter led to London's failure to win their first Connacht Senior football championship game since 1977.
But the improved form displayed against Leitrim in yesterday's highly exciting quarter-final at Ruislip suggests that London must look forward to participation in the losers' group with far more confidence than previously.
This undoubtedly proved to be London's most convincing performance for some years with the team matching Leitrim in most areas and especially in the middle of the field where Colm McHugh and Kevin Waldron worked tirelessly to win control.
London's defensive strength lay with the full-back line of Padraig McDonagh, Kieran McCarthy and Niall Jordan; while centre-back Karl Scanlan repeatedly cleared his lines under pressure.
Leitrim, who next play Sligo in the Connacht championship semi-final on June 9th, looked a much improved side, although their tendency to overplay the ball could cost them dearly. Overall team manager Declan Rowley was highly delighted at yesterday's outcome and especially with the fighting qualities of a team in which defenders Adrian Charles, Shane Foley and Fergal Reynolds succeeded in soaking up the pressure when London looked like taking control.
HOW THEY LINED OUT
LEITRIM:1. E Lyons; 2. J McKeown, 3. A Charles, 4. T Kelleher; 5. O McGuinness, 7. S Foley, 17 F Reynolds; 8 S Canning, 9. G McCloskey; 10. P McDermott, 11. S Quinn, 12. P McLaughlin; 13. D Brennan, 14. O Maguire, 18. M Duignan. Subs: M Maguire for P McDermott; J Guckian, for D Brennan; J Holohan for M Duignan.
LONDON: 1. E Browne; 2. P McDonagh, 3. K McCarthy, 4. N Jordan; 5. D Cannon, 6. K Scanlan, 7. M Donaghy; 8. C McHugh, 9. K Waldron; 10. C Foody, 11. A Gillane , 12. P Coggins; 13. P Muldoon, 14. S Lynch, 15. J Grimes. Subs: C Heaney for P Muldoon; J Carmody for C Foody; K Jackman for S Lynch; M Mooney for D Cannon.
