Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup Agonising loss for ATU Sligo
Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup – R1 ATU Sligo St Mary UC (Belfast)
0-8 0-9
ATU Sligo were caught cold by a late score that saw them lose by a point, 0-9 to 0-8, away to St Mary’s University College, Belfast, in last Thursday’s Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup round one tie at The Dub, Belfast.
The implications of that winning score from Fergal O’Brien is that ATU Sligo had to win last night (Wednesday) when hosting Sigerson favourites University of Galway in a make-orbreak fixture for both Connacht sides.
The Con O’Meara-managed ATU Sligo came close to either winning narrowly or forcing extra-time as a notable second-half recovery, which saw them recover from a 0-7 to 0-2 interval deficit, was almost rewarded.
With matters heading into the last 10 minutes of normal time, Jack Lavin’s second point of the game made it 0-8 apiece.
ATU Sligo will rue that they didn’t score at least one goal during the opening period that saw St Mary’s establish a five-point advantage.
There were two goal chances for St Molaise Gaels player Jack Davitt. After 18 minutes he palmed the ball goalwards, with St Mary’s goalkeeper Darragh Croarkin making a save, after Mark Walsh created the opportunity.
At the end of the first-half Jack
Lavin’s lovely pass picked out Jack Davitt, who was unlucky to see his goalbound shot come off the inside of the upright, with St Mary’s again let off the hook.
ATU Sligo started with 10 Sligo natives – Josh Ellis (Enniscrone-Kilglass), Ciaran O’Reilly (Drumcliffe-Rosses Point), Mark Walsh (Owenmore Gaels), Dylan Walsh (Eastern Harps), Joseph Keaney (St Molaise Gaels), Dillon McDermott (Shamrock Gaels), Ross Doherty (CooleraStrandhill), Jack Lavin (Ballymote), Daire O’Boyle (Calry-St Joseph’s) and Jack Davitt (St Molaise Gaels). One of these Sligo men, Mark Walsh, was ATU Sligo’s best performer on the night. Their six scorers included Jack Lavin (0-2), Daire O’Boyle (0-2), Jack Davitt, John Grady, Joseph Keaney and Emmanuel Shehu.
Best for ATU Sligo: Mark Walsh
ATU Sligo: Jim Kelly, Emmanuel Shehu (0-1), Kieran Clancy, Josh Ellis, Ciaran O’Reilly, Mark Walsh, Dylan Walsh, Joseph Keaney (0-1), Dillon McDermott, Darragh Syron, Aaron Keelaghan, Ross Doherty, Jack Lavin (0-2, 2f), Daire O’Boyle (0-2, 2f), Jack Davitt (0-1)
Subs used: Richard O’Rourke, John Grady (0-1)
St Mary’s University College (Belfast): Darragh Croarkin, Cathal Agnew, Finn Murdock, Killian Burke, Fergal O’Brien (01), Michael McCallan (0-1), Macdarragh Hynes, Darragh Treanor, Cormac McGettigan, Jude Campbell (0-4, 3f), Seanie O’Donnell (0-1), Sean Quigley, Danny Magee, Sean Rock (0-1), Conan Milne (0-1)
Subs used: Luke McKeever, James McCormack, Shea Daly
Referee Paul Faloon (Down)
The number of years since ATU Sligo (then IT Sligo) last won the HE GAA Sigerson Cup (2005).
MATCH READY: Prior to last Thursday’s Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup fixture between ATU Sligo and St Mary’s University College, Belfast, were, Aaron Keelaghan (ATU Sligo captain), Paul Faloon (match referee), Michael McCallan (St Mary’s captain).