IT was a game both sides had to win and in the end true grit, greater determination and considerable class won the day for Leitrim against a gallant Clare side who now face a play-off with Mayo to decide relegation.
Leitrim quickly dismissed any notion that they were a soft touch, racing into an early three points to two points lead in the opening quarter. It was inevitable that the high stakes would raise the temperature and referee Mick McGrath dismissed Joe Honeyman of Leitrim and Martin Daly of Clare in the 13th minute.
Five players from Clare and three from Leitrim were booked in a game that produced excellent passages of play from both sides, but the dominance of Leitrim's Jason Ward and Benny Guckian at mid-field was a deciding factor in the first period.
The turning point came in the 20th minute when under-21 star Fintan McBrien shook off his marker only to be upended by Clare keeper James Hanrahan. Aidan Rooney converted the resultant penalty and with McBrien running rings around the Clare defence, he added two more points to his tally before half-time to put Leitrim in a commanding 1-7 to 0-3 lead at the break.
Clare introduced David Keane and John Enright on the resumption and the move yielded instant results, Keane scoring an excellent individual goal in the 35th minute.
Clare's Ger Keane and Leitrim's Declan Darcy exchanged points in the 39th and 42nd minutes but one minute later in a fine piece of opportunism, McBrien pounced on a loose ball coming off the Clare upright and kicked it to the net to extend the Leitrim lead still further.
That should have been the end of the Clare challenge but with Leitrim wilting from the championship pace in the final quarter, the Banner County went in search of a goal. However, with time ticking away, their best efforts produced just three points - too little too late.
Leitrim's victory ensures their survival in Division Two and on the evidence of this performance, they will be strong contenders for provincial honours come the summer.
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