London vs Leitrim - 3 days to go

1

The injury doubts is certainly a concern Farmer.

League encounter to keep Leitrim focused
24 May 2007

When Leitrim travelled to London earlier this year, the Connacht side returned with a narrow win and skipper John McKeon stresses that match will ensure there is no complacency on their behalf this time around.

The initial match between the sides was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, even though Leitrim had made the journey over to London and following a number of meetings, Dessie Dolans charges were made to make a second trip to Ruislip.

On that occasion, they won by three points and London pushed them all the way. The sides meet again on Sunday and McKeon, who is struggling to be fit for the match admits that the league encounter was a wake up call for them.
We had our eyes opened that. It was a very tough match, but we have learnt a lot from it and that will stand to us on Sunday, said the Leitrim skipper.

The Connacht outfit have injury concerns over a number of players including McKeon, Declan Maxwell and Michael McGuinness, while Barry McWeeney and Adrian OFlynn are definitely out through exam commitments.

2

Farmer, 18,000 seems an ambitious predicted capacity. The stand is due to hold 3,000. There is no way the rest of the ground will take 15,000. I would say the capacity will be in or around 15,000 when stand is completed. Not many grounds could hold 60% of the county’s population though.

Leitrim make the trip to Ruislip on Sunday to take on London in the Connacht Championship.

When these two sides met in a rearranged Allianz League tie on Easter Sunday last, Leitrim had to work hard for a three point win at Ruislip. The Exiles will be hoping to put it up to their hosts again on Sunday.

They will, no doubt, be spurred on by the fact that Martin Breheny in the Irish Independent earlier this week had Leitrim down to play Galway in the Connacht semi-final. That pairing is still very much on, but London will welcome any motivation, intended or not from a revered scribe.

Noel Dunning’s side have been badly hit by injuries with Sean Campbell, Senan Hehir, Eamon Brennan, Francis Cleary and Niall Clinton all nursing various knocks and bruises. Dunning, however, remains upbeat, and is confident his side will make life difficult for Dessie Dolan’s outfit. Their league campaign saw some encouraging performances and culminated with a victory over Carlow.

The London County Board’s vision of the future is a positive one. They have realised that the Celtic Tiger’s roar has curtailed the supply line of talent coming over from Ireland. A number of clubs are now developing their own underage structures and this current London squad boasts players born in the English capital, namely Phillip Morgan, Paul O’Donoghue and Eamon Brennan.

Leitrim will be taking nothing for granted at Ruislip and go into the match on the back of a reasonably successful League campaign. They cannot be blamed for having one eye on the Galway match at newly refurbished Pairc Sen Mac-Diarmada on 24 June.

Dolan’s side are capable of rattling the Connacht favourites in front of an 18,000 capacity at the Carrick On Shannon venue. Mayo in 2006 will testify to that! Expect, Declan Maxwell, Barry Prior, James Glancy and company to learn something from their London trip, and a victory by at least six points.

3

Just saw where all three are passed fit to play. McGuinness has moved to full back, McKeon out to centre half, Maxwell to centre forward and Glancy full forward. Carroll appears to have retired. What a legend of a footballer. Part of the 94 panel and a colossus ever since. That is the area which will let us down. Went to the same school as Michael Duignan (grade A tosser) and Gary McCloskey and neither are good enough.

Shane Canning is the man :slight_smile:

4

I expect London to win this game easily.

5

Got out of there today with a win. Scored 3 points in the second half which is not ideal but the main thing was a victory. Bring on Galway now

hi5 hi5

6

Incredible win. Biggest shock since Monaghan beat defending All Ireland champions Armagh in 2003.

7

And the famed Leitrim full back line stood up well to Berbatov, Defoe et al conceding only 2 goals in the process.

8

Yeah, it was a strong London team alright:

Cech (Chelsea);
Eboue (Arsenal); Terry (Chelsea); Clichy(Arsenal);
Essien (Chelsea); King (Spurs); Bocanegra (Fulham);
Gilberto (Arsenal); Lampard (Chelsea);
Lennon (Spurs); Fabregas (Arsenal); Berbatov (Spurs);
Tevez (West Ham); Drogba (Chelsea); Robben (Chelsea);

Really amazed Leitrim got the better of them.