A special day of football in memory of one of Leitrim's brightest prospects tragically killed on a Boston building site last August was suitably enhanced when a lively Leitrim beat All-Ireland champions Galway at the rededication and official opening of Shane McGettigan Park, Drumshanbo, Leitrim, yesterday.
Leitrim captain Gareth Phelan was also the first recipient of the Joe Mooney Perpetual Trophy.
A weakened but potent Galway team parading six of their All-Ireland winning 15 quickly got down to business but Leitrim responded to lead 0-12 to 0-9 at half-time.
It was a more determined Galway who emerged for a second-half but Leitrim deservedly won by the narrowest of margins.
Leitrim: G Phelan; J Phelan, S Quinn, D Kelleher; C Regan, C Murray, P FLynn (0-1); D McNulty, J Ward (0-3); B Guckian (0-2), P Farrell (0-4), C Carroll (0-4); D Brennan, C McGlynn (0- 3), A Rooney (0-1). Subs: S Dillon for P FLynn, P Gaffey for A Rooney, A Fee (0-1) for D Brennan.
Galway: L Kelly; T Meehan, R Doyle, J Lardner; R Silke, D Mitchell, S Og de Paor (0-1); C McGauran, F Gavin (0-1); T Joyce (1-0), J Fallon (0-5), M Donnellan; M Colleran (0-3), S Walsh (0- 5), D Reilly. Subs: C Collins for C McGauran, M Cloherty for D Reilly, E Daly for S Og de Paor.
Referee: S Prior (Leitrim)
