Leitrim confound critics to earn draw

Leitrim 1-10 0-13 Roscommon

Rank outsiders Leitrim confounded the odds to earn a thouroughly deserved draw against hot favourites Roscommon in a dramatic Connacht SFC semi-final at Carrick-on-Shannon.

Leitrim were well in cont4ention at half-time with two points from debutante Johnny Goldrick and Fintan McBrien leaving the home side only two points behind at the break, 0-07 0-05.

Earlier in the half Roscommon midfielder Seamus O'Neill had kicked two booming points from play while Frankie Dolan pitched in with a trademark sideline kick.

After two early Roscommon points at the start of the second half the game veered away from the visitors when Leitrim corner forward Michael Foley cracked home a 44th-minute penalty.

Roscommon squandered a host of chances before Leitrim regained the initiative with John McKeown and Shane Canning finding the range,

Roscommon regrouped in the final minutes with Dolan and Seamus O'Neill points before Leitrim wing back Barry Prior restored parity in a welter of excitement.

The replay will be next Saturday at Dr Hyde Park.