Cooke back in frame for semis’ clash with Leitrim champions

And that desperate record won’t be improved in 2025 as the county’s first-time winners, Leitrim Gaels, are likely to be outclassed when facing Maigh Cuilinn in the provincial semi-final at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (1.30pm).

Only formed in 1996, Leitrim Gaels’ created their own version of a sporting fairytale when overcoming Sean O’Heslins from Ballinamore (1-19 to 0-14) in last month’s county final in Carrick-on-Shannon.

It was a historic triumph for the club which also unsuccessfully contested the county finals of 2021 and ’02, and continues the rise of Leitrim Gaels, who knocked out defending champions Mohill (4-14 to 3-7) in this year’s semi-final.

Of course, the transfer of the Jones brothers, Garvan, Ryan and Conall, who all have represented Fermanagh, from Derrygonnelly Harps this season has been a game-changer for the Gaels.

All three have been prominent in the club’s march to Leitrim glory. Garvan Jones scored eight points in their county final win while Jamie Rynn raised three white flags and David Regan supplied the all-important goal.

But they will surely be ‘in over their heads’ against the Galway champions in Salthill, especially as three defenders who lined out in the county final are unavailable. Former Leitrim captain David Bruen and Stephen McDermott have both returned to Australia; while current county player, Donal Casey, sustained a serious neck injury in that game which will keep him out of action for months

In contrast, Maigh Cuilinn have a powerful squad to pick from after underlining their current well-being with a commanding 1-20 to 1-9 victory over Shamrock Gaels in the provincial quarter-final in Tubbercurry last Sunday.

Despite a tonic start and a storming finish, Maigh Cuilinn didn’t have things all their own way in the second and third quarters on a day Dessie Conneely underlined his assassin’s eye with a fine haul of a goal and 10 points.

Also notable was the four-point contribution of the impressive Fionn McDonagh, who must be coming under the scrutiny of Padraic Joyce and his Galway management team in terms of adding new talent to the squad.

Pictured: Maigh Cuilinn's Johnny Maloney, Pierce Greally, Sean O'Connor and Eoghan Kelly celebrating their Connacht Club Senior Football quarter-final win over Shamrock Gaels with young fans in Tubbercurry last Sunday. Photo: Sean Lydon.