A TWO GOAL blitz by challengers Allen Gaels midway through the second half set the scene for a nail biting finish to a superb Leitrim football final replay at Carrick on Shannon yesterday. Holders St Mary's surrendered their crown in typical fighting style with the result in doubt until four minutes from the end when the Drumshambo club scored two stylish points.

Allen Gaels struggled to get into the game for most of the first half despite their midfield dominance as St Mary's more direct style gave them a 0-7 to 0-5 lead at the interval.

Two more points from Jimmy Guckian and John Crowe on the resumption put St Mary's comfortably ahead, but inspired substitutions and two superb individual goals from intercounty players Adrian Cullen and Padraig Kenny turned the game on its head. St Marys fought back, but Allen Gaels added two points in the closing minutes.