Andy Moran's Leitrim lost out to Sligo by one point on a score-line of 2-11 to 1-15, writes Jack Gannon.
Leitrim started off like a house on fire with three points in the first four minutes. Donal Wyrnn, Keith Beirne and Darragh Rooney found themselves on the scoresheet.
Sligo responded with four points-in-a-row, taking a one point lead before Evan Sweeney levelled the game with a well-taken 17th minute point.
Sligo grabbed the next five scores, moving into a nine point to four lead after 33 minutes. Darragh Rooney scoring his first of the match with a well needed score for Leitrim, reducing the deficit to four at half-time.
Keith Beirne got the first score of the second-half from a close range free just two minutes after the restart. Sligo would quickly respond as Finnian Cawley restored his sides four point lead.
Things got better for Tony McEntee’s men as Pat Spillane finished off a great team move as he blasted the ball just under the crossbar, giving Nevin O’Donnell no chance on 43 minutes.
Sligo followed this up with two more points in quick succession giving them a 1-12 to six point lead.
Second-Half
Keith Beirnes' close range free on 53 minutes kick started the Leitrim comeback. Just two minutes later substitute Barry McNulty got on the end of a rebound from Tom Priors shot. A much needed goal for Leitrim.
McNulty followed up with a super long range score just a minute later from the mark. Darragh Rooney's point on the hour mark was sandwiched in between two superb saves from Leitrim goalkeeper Nevin O’Donnell. Letrim trailed Sligo 1-09 to 1-12.
Sean Carrabine converted a 45 for Sligo on 61 minutes before Aidan Fylnn managed to scramble the ball over the line after a series of blocks on the Sligo goal line as he made it a one point game.
Donal Wyrnn levelled the sides on 65 minutes before Tom Prior completed the Leitrim comeback giving his side the lead just a minute later. The score-line read 2-11 to 1-13 as Leitrim were getting promoted.
However Sligo managed to dampen the mood in Carrick-on-Shannon as Finnian Cawley and Sean Carrabines scores gave Sligo a one point victory to send them up to division three and a trip to Croke Park next week.
The final score read Leitrim 2-11 Sligo 1-15.
For Andy Moran’s men, attention now turns to their trip to New York for the Connacht Quarter-final clash.
