Leitrim ended a 42-year wait yesterday when they captured the Connacht title despite a late rally from a Sligo team that at one stage seemed to have done enough at Tuam Stadium yesterday.

Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half, Leitrim shot five wides and missed a glorious goal chance. They seemed to have squandered their best opportunity when going in at the break one point in arrears. However, this side, which came back from an eight-point deficit against a fancied Galway side in the semi-finals, showed reserves of character to defy Sligo.

Sligo increased their lead to two points before Leitrim equalised with points from David Crowe and Terry Kelleher. It was tit-for-tat from there to the finish, but Kelleher proved the difference in the end, firing home two points in quick succession.

Shane Morley reduced the deficit to one point but the Sligo side had three wides in the final minute to present the title to Leitrim.

Leitrim: E Lyons; S Maguire, J McKeon, M McGuinness; B McKiernan, P Casserly, P McGarry; G McCloskey, D O'Callaghan; D Crowe 0-1, S Canning 0-2, M Duignan 0-1; H McGee, T Kelleher 0-3, J McGuiness 0-1. Sub: S Rehill for McGee.

Sligo: E McLoughlin; E Brennan, K Tuffy, K O'Neill; K Casey, R Hannon, K Phillips; B Phillips, P Naughton; A Brett 0-3, G Maye 0-1, L Og Gormley; M Breheny, S Morley 0-2, S Dunne. Sub: K Martin 0-1 for Dunne.

Referee: S McHale (Mayo).