Leitrim bowed out of the Tailteann Cup following a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Sligo at Carrick-on-Shannon.
Leitrim came from behind to level the game at 2-13 to 1-16 at full-time and the sides couldn’t be separated in extra time where it finished 2-16 to 1-19.
The hosts started explosively and led 1-2 to no score inside seven minutes; Keith Beirne scoring the game's opening goal on two minutes following a defensive error from Sligo.
Sligo responded by hitting seven points without reply before Beirne ended Leitrim’s 30 minute scoring drought with a well taken score on 33 minutes.
Leitrim’s Riordan O’Rourke subsequently added another point before Sligo registered the last point of the half to lead 0-9 to 1-4 at the break.
Sligo registered the first two scores of the second half before Beirne opened Leitrim’s second-half account within four minutes of the restart.
Four minutes later, sub Ryan O'Rourke scored Leitrim’s second goal where he finished to the net following an excellent solo run.
Evan Sweeney followed the goal with an excellent score to see his team go one point up after 44 minutes.
The sides subsequently trade two scores each before Mark Walsh scored Sligo’s first goal of the game nine minutes from time and the visitors followed up with two points in a row.
Sligo moved four points clear one minute from time before Leitrim forced extra time after landing four unanswered points.
Dean McGovern initiated the late rally before Ryan O’Rourke, Jordan Reynolds and Keith Beirne added a point each.
Beirne’s equaliser triggered a huge reaction from the home support and suddenly we were headed for extra time.
Leitrim’s Shane Moran found the net one minute into extra-time. However the goal was disallowed as he was adjudged to have been in the square.
The sides traded three points each in extra time and yet again, it was Beirne who landed the equalising score with four minutes remaining which resulted in a penalty shootout.
Sligo won the shootout 4-3 after converting all four of their penalties. Beirne, Darragh Rooney and Shane Quinn were on target for Leitrim.
Andy Moran’s side will feel disappointed after losing on a penalty shootout but nonetheless, his side can take huge positives from their great performance and can look forward with confidence to the future.
