Leitrim 2-5
Roscommon 1-7

Emlyn Mulligan captained Leitrim to back-to-back FBD League successes after a thrilling victory over neighbours Roscommon.

The home supporters who braved the atrocious weather at Pairc Sean MacDiarmada witnessed history in the making as it was Leitrim's first time ever to retain a title in any grade.

They got themselves into a great position to lead by 1-3 to 0-3 at half-time after playing against the wind and hailstones. Aaron Hickey gave them the perfect start when he found the net in the sixth minute after Roscommon 'keeper Darren O'Malley had done well to keep out Ray Cox's initial shot.

Half back Wayne McKeon kicked two points to give Sean Hagan's men the advantage at the break.

Roscommon resumed with scores from the Murtagh brothers, Diarmuid and Ciaran, only for Fergal Clancy and Cox to reply for the holders.

In a frenetic finish, Emlyn Mulligan and Tomas Beirne combined to set up John Mulligan for Leitrim's second goal, which put them five points clear with four minutes remaining. But they were left hanging on for the win after a late Niall Daly goal and a Cathal Cregg free left the minimum in it.

Leitrim - C McCrann; B Brior, D Wrynn, P Maguire; P Brennan, G Reynolds, W McKeon (0-2); A Hickey (1-0), D Moran; K Conlan, R Lowe, F Clancy (0-1); E Mulligan (0-1f), T Beirne, R Cox (0-1). Subs: D Beck for Brennan (BC), J Glancy for Lowe, G Hickey for Moran, J Mulligan (1-0) for Cox, E Mahon for A Hickey.

Roscommon - D O'Malley; N Collins, N Carty (0-1), C Cafferky; S McDermott, N Daly (1-1), C Daly (0-1); C Shine, K Higgins; C Devaney, C Burns, M Nally; S Kilbride, C Cregg (0-1f), C Murtagh (0-1). Subs: M Finneran for Burns, D Keane for Devaney, D Murtagh (0-2, 1f) for Kilbride, D O'Gara for Nally, E Smith for Higgins.

Referee - Michael Duffy. Tweet

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