No junior high this time

MAYO lost their Connaught junior football crown after Leitrim prevailed in this year's final at Charlestown this evening, winning by 1-16 to 0-16.

Mayo dominated the early exchanges and after 18 minutes led by 0-7 to 0-1. They could and should have led by double that score at this stage as they missed two open goals in the first five minutes. Both chances fell to James Carr who on each occasion shot the wrong side of the post.

From the remainder of the half Leitrim took control and scored an unanswered 1-6 to lead by 1-7 to 0-7 at the interval.

On the resumption Mayo started brightly and outscored Leitrim by three points to one. But they didn't score again until the 50th minute, by which time their opponents had kicked six unanswered points to lead by seven.

In the closing 10 minutes Mayo threw everything at Leitrim and with Mark Ronaldson firing over some great points, they had reduced the deficit to the minimum with two minutes remaining.

However, it was Leitrim who finished the stronger and fired over two points in injury time for a deserved victory.