Great joy in Leitrim GAA as ladies take All-Ireland home

There were joyous scenes in both Croke Park and Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday, following Leitrim ladies triumph in the Intermediate All-Ireland final.

Leitrim overcame Tyrone by a single point (3-11 to 3-10) to claim their second ever Intermediate title (the first was won in 2007).

Leitrim had led by 2-5 to 2-3 at half-time.

Leitrim brought a large support to GAA HQ and they were delighted to see Michelle Guckian of the Kiltubrid club lift the Mary Quinn trophy (named after a Leitrim woman).

Leitrim, like Longford, were playing in Division 4 of the National Football League this season. There was disappointment when Leitrim failed to gain promotion from the bottom division, but on Sunday last they achieved the pinnacle.

Thousands of people thronged the streets of Carrick on Sunday night, to provide a huge homecoming for their heroes.

There were certainly no divided loyalties for Leitrim manager Jonny Garrity, who is a Tyrone native.

The absorbing and high scoring Intermediate final was a good curtain raiser for the senior decider, where Kerry bridged a 31 year gap by winning the All-Ireland.