Leitrim  2 – 7
GMIT   0 – 8

By PJ Leddy
editoral@leitirmpost.com

Leitrim got their FBD League campaign off to a winning start and despite a slow star they convincingly disposed of the challenge of GMIT in Sunday’s entertaining clash in Páirc Seán MacDiarmada. 
A goal from an Emyln Mulligan penalty in the first half and a similar score from James Glancy within 30 seconds of the restart ensured the win for Leitrim.
But GMIT still outplayed Leitrim for the opening twenty minutes of the second half, with their high level of fitness outshining their opponents and while the home county took victory in a very business like manner, they know they have a lot of work to do yet.
The introduction of subs Colin Regan and Philly McGuinness at the end of the third quarter got Leitrim’s challenge re-ignited and allowed Dessie Dolan’s side finish with a little bit of a flourish.
Early Lead
Leitrim took an early lead when Shane and Michael Foley whipped over points apiece in quick succession but GMIT levelled matters by the 9th minute after Michael Martin put over two fees as both sides found their feet in the opening game of the year.
The students grabbed the lead in the following minute when Paul McGinley shot over from play however Melvin Gaels man Mulligan put Leitrim on level terms when he tapped over a 13th minute free.
The prolific forward, who was easily the best man in the green and gold on the day, edged Leitrim back in front two minutes later when he again found the range from another free.
With the momentum now with them, Leitrim were given the impetus to take the game when GMIT’s ‘keeper Donal Dowd was adjudged to have committed a 16th minute foot block offence and Leitrim was duly awarded a penalty.
The Penalty
Mulligan stepped up and clinically converted the spot kick when he found the lower left hand corner of the GMIT net, giving a lift to Leitrim and indeed the game.
It was the students though who surged after this score and Tom Cunniffe fisted over a GMIT point after finishing off a good 22nd minute move, as they hit back with a determined reply for their penalty concession.
In the following minute Declan Maxwell won possession inside the GMIT half and supplied a well placed pass to Emlyn Mulligan, who shot over from 35 yards.
Now playing with a renewed air of confidence, Leitrim pushed forward and GMIT had a let off in the 24th minute when they managed to scramble the ball off their goal line following a James Glancy shot.
The Restart
Leitrim led by 1 – 5 to 0 – 4 at the break and James Glancy increased that advantage with a goal within 30 seconds of the restart when he chipped GMIT ‘keeper, David Dowd.
However, those who were expecting Leitrim to completely tear their opponents asunder after this were disappointed as a determined GMIT whittled Leitrim’s lead back to three points by the 51st minute with Kieran Conroy, Stephen Griffin, Michael Martin and sub Stephen Kavanagh shooting over in turn.
Sensing the game closing in on them, Leitrim regrouped and staged a last ten minute rally to halt the GMIT fight back.
It was the clinical boot of Mulligan again who paved the way as he converted a free following a  foul on Declan Maxwell, while the man himself shot from play moments later allowing Leitrim to pull comfortably away as the New Year’s first outing came to a satisfactory end.

Leitrim: Noel Gill, Dermot Reynolds, John McKeon, James Glancy (St. Mary’s), Pat Gilmartin, Barry McWeeney, Shane Foley 0 – 1, Gary McCloskey, Michael Duignan, Michael Foley 0 – 1, Emyln Mulligan 1 – 4 (3f.), Barry Prior, David O’Connor, James Glancy (Glencar/Manor) 1 – 0, Declan Maxwell 0 – 1. Subs Kieran Kennedy for J. Glancy (St. Mary’s) (HT), Philly McGuinness for O’Connor (45 mins.), Colin Regan for Prior (45 mins.), Stephen Feeney for J. Glancy (Glencar/Manor) (61mins.), C. O’Flynn for Gilmartin (61mins).

GMIT: Donal Dowd, Rory McTiernan, Stephen Walsh, Niall Darby, Donal Vaughan, John Hayes, Tom Cunniffe 0 – 1, Conor Glynn, Kieran Conroy 0 – 1, Sean Ryder, Aidan Campbell, Paul McGinley 0 – 1, Michael Martin 0 – 3(3f.), Eoin Concannon, Stephen Griffin 0 – 1. Subs Tom Hughes for Hayes (27 mins.), Michael Conroy for Concannon (37 mins), Barry Lee for McGinley (38 mins.), Stephen Kavanagh 0 – 1(‘45’) for Griffin (39mins).

Referee: Martin Duffy (Sligo).