Better from Sligo
Sligo produced an improved display at Páirc Esler but concession of an early goal gives a boost to Down
FOR ‘FECKIN’ SAKE: Arrow Harps are stunned by the last-minute winner from Louth club Termonfeckin Celtic.
FAI Youth Cup
Fourth Round – Last 16 Arrow Harps Termonfeckin Celtic 3 4
ARROW Harps’ wonderful journey in this season’s FAI Youth Cup, one that brought the club’s Boys U-18 team to the brink of a national quarter-final, is over.
It was a painful exit, too, as a last-minute winner by Louth club Termonfeckin Celtic denied Arrow Harps the opportunity to redeem themselves in extra-time or indeed penalties in this rollercoaster at MacSharry Park last Sunday.
Arrow Harps went a goal up, were pegged back at 1-1, then went 2-1 ahead, later fell 3-2 behind and then made it 3-3. And then came the sickening twist when Termonfeckin plundered the spoils at on the cusp of full-time.
The outcome was exacerbated by the fact that Arrow Harps had chances and possession during this contest so as not to end up losing how they did.
Niall Kenny’s brilliant strike put Arrow Harps in front but this lead was cancelled out by a goal from the lively Kartal Martin.
George Barlow’s 29th minute goal put Arrow Harps 2-1 up – he made hay with Niall Kenny’s flick on from a Brian Dwyer goalkick.
Arrow Harps had opportunities to extend this lead as Oisin Conlon and goalscorer George Barlow each went close.
Weather conditions worsened for the second-half and Arrow Harps’ fortunes turned when they conceded two goals. Scoring for Termonfeckin were Jake Matthews and TJ Tuite, whose fortuitous finish was from a cross.
There was an element of luck about Arrow Harps’ third goal – Daire Callaghan’s delivery from a free-kick, intended as a cross, went into the net
TUSSLE: Action from last Sunday’s game at MacSharry Park.
after 59 minutes.
Niall Kenny came close to getting his second of the day and during the frantic closing stages it was Termonfeckin who triumphed when James McGlew converted from close-range.
There was one more chance of salvation for Arrow Harps – which would have brought extra-time – but Niall Kenny’s effort was narrowly off target.
Brian Dwyer, Ryan Parke (George Collins 51), Jack Tuohy, Daniel King, Ciaran Kenny (Darragh Mastin 71), PJ Scanlon, Oisin Conlon, George Barlow, James Foley, Daire Callaghan, Niall Kenny Termonfeckin Celtic (Louth): Evan McCluskey, Ciaran Caffrey, TJ Tuite, Callum McNamara, Aaron Walsh, Robert McCarthy, Evan Dolan, Liam Brannigan (Adam Smith 42), James McGlew, Kartal Martin, Jake Matthews (Garbhán O’Reilly 64)
Referee: Paul Kilcoyne (Sligo)
LGFA Lidl NFL
Division Three – Round Two Down 2-8 Sligo 0-9
S
LIGO’S Ladies Footballers certainly don’t set out to make life difficult for themselves.
Against Clare, an opening round defeat in Curry on the Sunday before last, they conceded a point after 17 seconds. The lost by 19 points.
Against Down, last Sunday at Newry’s Páirc Esler, Sligo let in a goal with 13 seconds on the clock. They lost by five points.
Another defeat, yet but this was an improved display compared to the previous weekend.
Thanks to greater effort, resolve and skill, Sligo showed that the ingredients are there for better results – but the wins have to come soon.
Led by midfielder and team captain Sinead Regan, Sligo responded to that early goal and they eventually were not as easy to play through, although breeze-assisted Down’s use of high, direct ball yielded a sixpoint advantage, 1-4 to 0-1, by the 18th minute.
Sligo, without experienced forward Katie Walsh, gradually made a game of it, with defenders Claire Dunne, Lisa Power and Tara Breheny to the fore, Sinead Regan getting involved as much as possible and – in attack – excellence from Aife Haran and Leah Duffy. Goalkeeper Ellen McGuire made two standout saves in that opening period, stops that ensured Sligo would be within reach of Down at the interval, 1-6 to 0-4. She produced another fabulous save in the second-half. Aife Haran, who
HURLING:
SLIGO’S progression from the fifth tier of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship to the third tier (Christy Ring Cup) has been one of the GAA’s modern-day fairytales. Indeed, this year will be Sligo’s fourth campaign in the Christy Ring Cup.
Just as impressive has been the county’s rise up through two Allianz Hurling League levels. Sligo achieved back-to-back promotions in 2020 and 2021, winning the Division 3B title and then the Division 3A crown.
2022 nearly brought a third successive AHL triumph but Sligo missed out on Division 2B honours when losing the final to Derry.
The willingness to get out of Division 2B remains but the latest attempt must be achieved minus two
Sinead Regan. The midfielder – who captained the side – led by example. She was tireless in her ballcarrying and work-rate. She scored a point as well. vital performers, Gerard O’KellyLynch and Finnian Cawley, who have switched to the Sligo senior Gaelic football panel.
Another O’Kelly-Lynch, Tony, is not in this year’s panel either which is also a disadvantage.
The Cawley was one of the mainstays of the Easkey team that reached the AIB All-Ireland Club Junior Hurling Championship final – 12 members of that Easkey-St Farnan’s mix that ended up playing Cork’s Ballygiblin at Croke Park are at the disposal of Sligo senior hurling team boss Padraig Mannion.
Sligo’s Division 2B schedule begins this Saturday with an away fixture against Donegal (O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny, 2pm). On Sunday week, February 12, Sligo take on Meath in round two at Markievicz Park (2pm). Meath were relegated from Division 2A last year. Sligo also have home advantage for their round three clash with Tyrone on Sunday, February 26. Sligo are away to London for a round four fixture on Saturday, March 11. Round five brings another home test, this time against Wicklow, on Sunday, March 19.
Sligo senior hurling panel (AFL): Kevin O’Kennedy (c), Luke Comerford, Jimmy Gordon, James Weir, Rory McHugh, Joe McHugh, Andrew Kilcullen, Niall Kilcullen, Ronan Molloy, Gavin Connolly, Fionn Connolly, Fionn Moylan, Cian Flynn, Darragh Flynn, Lee Gilmartin, Conor Hanniffy, Diarmuid Hanniffy, Darragh Cawley, Donal Keaveny, Dónall Hanley, Eddie O’Donoghue, John Cosgrove, Mark Harkin, Niall Feehily, Ronan Forkin, Thomas Cawley, Eoin Comerford, Liam O’Kelly-Lynch, Ruairí Brennan
take on Louth, who have won their two games so far, beating Longford (2-12 to 1-9) and Offaly (2-12 to 0-7).
Best for Sligo: Sinead Regan
Sligo (v Down, Lidl NFL): Ellen McGuire, Isabella Henry, Claire Dunne, Ciara Scanlon, Sarah Curley, Lisa Powell, Tara Breheny, Sarah Reynolds, Sinead Regan (0-1), Caoimhe Connor, Nicola Brennan (01), Aife Haran (0-3, 2f), Kate Hosey, Sinead Naughton, Leah Duffy (0-2)
Subs used: Fiona Feeney, Rachel O’Brien (0-2), Orla Naughton