Mohill retain Leitrim SFC title after defeating Ballinamore on penalties in pulsating replay

Sean Harkin's penalty secured the title for Mohill. 

CHAMPIONS: Mohill captain Shane Quinn lifts the cup after winning the Leitrim SFC final replay on penalties. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Leitrim SFC final replay: Mohill 0 – 17 Ballinamore Sean O'Heslin's 1 – 14 (Mohill win 4 – 2 on penalties AET)

After a pulsating Leitrim senior final replay ended on level terms in Ballinamore it went to penalties to decide the issue where defending champions Mohill came out on top when their fourth spot kick Sean Harkin converted to give victory.

Ballinamore got off to a bright start when Luke Murphy fired over after 37 seconds. But Mohill equalised within the space of another 60 seconds when Keith Beirne split the Ballinamore uprights.

Mohill edged into a two point's lead by the 5 minute mark after Jordan Reynolds and Domhnaill Flynn shot points in turn with Tom Prior and Paul Honeyman keeping Ballinamore in the frame with a similar scores in this period.

Following that Keith Keegan fired over for Mohill and Keith Beirne tapped over a free to give their side a three point's cushion as the first quarter ended. Ballinamore stayed in the hunt with Paul Honeyman (free) and Tom Prior splitting the Mohill uprights to reduce Mohill's advantage to the minimum.

Before the interval Mohill outgunned Ballinamore with Keith Beirne hitting two points while Jordan Reynolds and Conor Quinn added a point each. The Ballinamore men replied with points from Paul Honeyman from a placed ball and Tom Prior.

At the break Mohill enjoyed a 0 – 10 to 0 – 7 lead after edging the first half proceedings.

After the restart Ballinamore got back on level terms by the 40th minute thanks to points hit over Paul Prior, Paul Moran and Luke Murphy (free).

Mohill had edged into a four point's lead by the 50 minute mark after Domhnaill Flynn put over two frees while Ryan Bohan and Shane Quinn chipped in with a point each.

A Tom Prior Ballinamore goal on the 57 minute mark brought his side right back into contention. It was nip and tuck after that with Ballinamore grabbing a minimum margin 59th minute lead thanks to a Paul Honeyman free conversion.

A Jordan Reynolds point for Mohill three minutes later sent the game to extra-time. In extra time Mohill edged into a 0 – 2 lead by the 77th minute thanks to points from Keith Beirne (free) and Jack Rowley.

After that Ballinamore sent the game to penalties with points from Tom Prior and Paul Moran (free).

Scorers for Mohill: K Beirne 0 – 7 4f; D Flynn 0 – 3 2f; J. Reynolds 0 – 2; R. Bohan, S Quinn, J Rowley, K Keegan & E Harkin 0 – 1 each 

Scorers for Ballinamore: T Prior 1 – 7; P Moran 0 – 5 1f; L Murphy 0 – 2 f;

MOHILL: P Tighe, D Mitchell, J Mitchell, R Bohan, S Harkin, S Quinn, J Rowley; C Quinn, D Flynn; T Mulligan, K Keegan, E Harkin; F McGuinness, K Beirne, J. Reynolds 0 – each.

Subs: R Gordon for J Mitchell (53);M Murphy for McGuinness (60); McGuinness for Reynolds (70); D Duignan for Bohan (75).

BALLINAMORE: D Maxwell; M Murphy, B Banks, P Connaughton; M McBrien, L Ferguson, C McHugh; S Moran, K McHugh; M McKiernan, W McKeon, P Moran; L Murphy, T Prior, P Honeyman.

Subs: N McManus for McKiernan (53); K Maguire for K McHugh (63); D Smith for L Murphy (64); A Burns for M Murphy (64); S Murphy for C McHugh (66).

Referee: M McGirl (Drumreilly).