Dominant display from Sligo-Leitrim
FAI Oscar Traynor Cup Round Two Sligo-Leitrim Roscommon
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HE Sligo-Leitrim District Soccer League representative side revived their FAI Oscar Traynor Inter-League campaign with a comfortable and deserved 4-0 defeat of Roscommon in the rain at MacSharry Park on Sunday last.
Three first-half goals put the John Loftusmanaged Sligo-Leitrim on course for a straightforward win. The winners’ goals came from Ryan McManus, who scored twice, team captain Christopher Kelly, who converted a penalty, and Jordan Harte. Goalscorer Harte and Mark Hannon were the outstanding performers for Sligo-Leitrim.
This win boosts Sligo-Leitrim’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages from the Connacht section and furthermore saw them bounce back after an opening round loss away to Mayo – a 1-0 setback at Solar 21 Park, Milebush, where the hosts won via a controversial penalty.
With two going through from the western province, Sligo-Leitrim can confirm their place in the last eight (at national level) with a home win against Galway on Sunday, December 10. Roscommon, with five players in their starting team from Boyle Celtic, once of the SligoLeitrim League, were poor opposition yet SligoLeitrim still had to get a result and did so in style.
Despite the difficult weather conditions it was Sligo-Leitrim who were attempting to move the ball smartly on the floor and the broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when Christopher Kelly scored from the spot. He had been fouled in the Roscommon box by Darren Foley and referee Paul Kilcoyne awarded the penalty. Roscommon came close to an equaliser but striker Michael Corrigan’s fresh air kick saw the chance lost.
Mark McGoldrick went close to doubling Sligo-Leitrim’s lead but he shot over from a Mark Hannon pass and then Sligo-Leitrim goalkeeper Ronan Callaghan twice had to make saves to keep the hosts’ lead intact. Sligo-Leitrim turned up the heat and Roscommon were in trouble when Steven Armstrong’s cross was turned into the net by
Jordan Harte.
Another good save from Ronan Callaghan denied the possibility of a Roscommon comeback and Sligo-Leitrim took over completely when Ryan McManus converted following a corner delivered by Christopher Kelly. Sligo-Leitrim continued to threaten in the second-half and Mark McGoldrick came close to making it 4-0 but his shot went the wrong side of the post after 50 minutes.
A foul on Christopher Kelly saw a free-kick given to Sligo-Leitrim and Ryan McManus produced a brilliant finish – he curled a shot around the Roscommon wall for his second goal and Sligo-Leitrim’s fourth of a productive afternoon.
Indeed, such was Sligo-Leitrim’s control that Roscommon never looked like getting even a consolation goal. Sligo-Leitrim almost got a fifth but Mark McGoldrick, who was a busy presence in Sligo-Leitrim’s attack, was off target with a 78th minute effort.
Meanwhile, Mayo chalked up their second victory of the campaign last weekend when they defeated Galway 4-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park. Ben Edeh, a former Sligo Rovers U-19 player, scored a hat-trick for Mayo.
Best for Sligo-Leitrim: Jordan Harte
Sligo-Leitrim: Ronan Callaghan; Stephen Keenan (Ray Walsh 70), Ryan McManus, Conor Griffin, Mark Hannon (Donal Gallagher 85); Keith Nibbs (Eoin Stinchon 85), Rian Gorman, Steven Armstrong (Dylan Henry 64), Jordan Harte; Mark McGoldrick (Malachy Spratt 85), Christopher Kelly
Subs not used: Ben Gavin (gk), Adam Devaney Roscommon: Adam McManus; Jack O’Beirne, Darren Foley, James Beirne, Gerard McDermottroe; Callum Andrews (Jack Nevin 46), Jack McCrann (David Connolly 85), Rian Carpenter, Michael Corrigan (Gerry Ward 85); Adam Farrell, Charlie Nevin (Cian Kelly 85) Referee: Paul Kilcoyne (Sligo)