Leitrim Gaels made it a debut to remember as they scored a convincing eight point victory over Melvin Gales in their senior football championship debut.
Leitrim Gaels survived an early goal to secure a 1-15 to 1-7 win having led by three points at half-time, 1-7 to 1-4. Four points inside the opening 12 second half minutes extending Leitrim’s lead to seven.
While Melvin Gales rallied they were no match for the newcomers who sent-over eight second half points for the 10 point victory.
Meanwhile in group two, Champions Glencar Manor Hamilton got the defence of their Connacht Gold Leitrim senior football title off to a flying start with a 1-12 to eight point win over Allen Gales at Drumshanbo.
Manor led 1-4 to five points at half-time and cruised to an opening day victory with four points in the opening five second half minutes.
While in group one Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s scored a one point win over Mohill 16 points to 15 in a tightly contested game at Mohill
The sides were deadlocked at eight points a-piece at the break with Mohill edging into a two point lead 0-8 to 10 points, 10 minutes into the second-half.
The hosts fought back to level the game at 10 points all with not more than one point between the sides until the final minutes when Ballinamore worked themselves in a 16 points to 14 lead with Mohill pulling one back to lose out 16 points to 15.
Elsewhere, Two first half goals sent Fenagh St. Cailins on the way to a three point win over St Marys-Kiltoghert in Pairc Sean O'Laodain, 2-12 to 2-9.
Fenagh led 2-6 to 1-3 at half-time, with the victory never in doubt as they exchanged scores with St. Mary’s for 28 second-half minutes. An injury time rally of three points put some gloss on the score-line for St. Mary’s.
