LEITRIM SFC FINAL: Melvin Gaels 2-7 Glencar/Manor0-7:TWO GOALS in either half secured a historic victory for Melvin Gaels over Glencar/ Manorhamilton who meekly surrendered their crown in a game that failed to excite at Páirc Seán MhicDiaramada, Carrick-on-Shannon, yesterday.

The sides were level on two points a piece after eight minutes but Melvin Gaels points in the 14th and 16th minute from Brendan Brennan and Emlyn Mulligan had the defending champions on the back foot. Then in the 23rd minute an Mulligan free hit the upright and James Phelan was first to react finishing to the net. Glencar/Manor hit two pointed frees to leave Melvin Gaels 1-4 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

Mulligan extended the challengers’ lead with a pointed free two minutes into the resumption but Glencar/Manor responded with three but their fightback was short-lived as Melvin Gaels upped the pace scoring two points in the 44th and 50th minutes.

Substitute Jason McGuinness proved to be the hero as he scrambled a loose ball to the net seven minutes from time to finish off the Glencar/Manorhamilton challenge and their hopes of a record breaking five in a row titles.

MELVIN GAELS:G Phelan; S Clancy, F McMorrow, S Ryan; P McGurrin, P Brennan, D Clancy; S McGurrin, B Brennan (0-1); C Sheridan, E Mulligan (0-3, two frees), C McGowan (0-1); J Connolly, J Phelan (1-1), D McSharry (capt). Subs: P McGowan (0-1) for D McSharry, J McGuinness (1-0) for J Connolly, C Regan for S Clancy, T Lipsitt for J Phelan.

GLENCAR/MANORHAMILTON:G Loughlin; T McDonald, P Gilmartin, P Maguire; M McGourty, K O'Flynn, A O'Flynn; D Sweeney (capt), F McGourty; D Kelly, C Ryan, G Hickey (0-1); A Croal, A Hickey (0-2, frees), J Glancy (0-4, two frees). Subs: S Loughlin for A O'Flynn, B McDonald for D Kelly, A McDonald for G Hickey, J Rooney for C Ryan, M poniard for P Gilmartin.