Tourlestrane dominate for three in a row

THE Tourlestrane juggernaut continues to dominate Sligo senior club football – yesterday’s sevenpoint defeat of Tubbercurry was their third successive title.

Masterminded by joint-managers, Eamonn O’Hara (pictured) and Gerry McGowan, the holders controlled this contest at Quigabar, west Sligo, as corner-back Cian Surlis’ goal five minutes into the second-half confirmed Tourlestrane’s superiority.

That finish put Tourlestrane six points up, 1-8 to 0-5, and they remained untroubled for the remainder against their south Sligo rivals, whose four second-half points were all pointed frees from substitute Darragh Kilcoyne.

Liam Gaughan’s contribution of six points made a big difference for the champions, who had a star in defensive rock Adrian McIntyre.

Tubbercurry, who were looking to reclaim a title last won in 2014, never made this game the tit-for-tat contest many anticipated.

The beaten finalists only led once, 0-2 to 0-1, in the seventh minute and later sparkled briefly, when making it 0-4 each after 14 minutes.

Luke Gilmartin’s point drew his side level, but that was as good as it got for Pat Kilcoyne’s charges, as Tourlestrane responded with four unanswered points to convincingly lead 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time.

Cathal Henry and Gaughan scored the best of Tourlestrane’s first-half points and there was also a crucial brace from captain and wing-back James Leonard.

Tubbercurry got the first score of the second half – Kilcoyne with another pointed free – but then the game took a predictable turn, when Surlis struck with a smart finish from Cathal Henry’s pass with 25 minutes of normal time left.

Yesterday’s occasion also marked the 50th anniversary of Sligo’s Connacht Minor success in 1968 – that team also reached the AllIreland final – with GAA president John Horan in attendance.