Sligo go from favourites to underdogs as Rossies arrive

Tony McEntee’s men have home advantage for the provincial semi-final on Saturday but Roscommon will be favourites to progress to the decider against Galway

DESPITE not impressing against the well-drilled New York, nobody really imagined that Sligo would get caught in the Big Apple.

Just as few believe that Sligo can shock Roscommon at Markievicz Park this coming Saturday (5pm start).

From favourites to beat New York to being clear underdogs against the Rossies, this isn’t being negative it is a case of obvious realism.

Sligo failed to get out of Division Four of this year’s Allianz Football League, Roscommon, in contrast, are heading back to next year’s top tier as Division Two champions.

The Anthony Cunninghammanaged side defeated Galway in that Division Two final, to complete their AFL season as the only unbeaten team.

This is a Galway team who, last Sunday, defeated Mayo in the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship quarter-final at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park. Where does all this leave Sligo? Not without a prayer, surely, as this is still a two-horse race, but with a lot to do if they are to register a shock result.

Tony McEntee, the Sligo senior team manager, is pragmatic enough not to make rash statements. Still, he has overseen Sligo

FOCUS: Sligo senior team manager Tony McEntee has a provincial semi-final this weekend as Sligo play Roscommon at Markievicz Park.

progress this year – his charges won five of their seven games in Division Four – and that recent win in New York, albeit a result that relied on a strong finish and Sean Carrabine’s first-half goal, still gave the Armagh man and his management team food for thought.

“We took a lot from that result and especially the weekend that we had together in New York – it was a good experience for team bonding.

“We are in really good form, I have a full panel to pick from and we’re really looking forward to this game,” McEntee stated.

While defender Eddie McGuinness remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from injury, forward Pat Hughes should be in contention for a place in Saturday’s matchday squad, so too utility player Luke Towey.

SUPERB CONNACHT ACHIEVEMENT FOR SLIGO’S U-20 GAELIC FOOTBALLERS: