McEntee takes positives from a solid result
THE MOMENTUM generated by the home defeat of Wicklow was maintained here and, as a result of beating Limerick by five points, there were further positives for Sligo boss Tony McEntee.
“A win was very important – coming to these away venues it can be tough to get points in this division,” said McEntee in the aftermath of the 1-12 to 0-10 win at Mick Neville Park.
“Limerick were fighting for their lives because that’s three losses for them [from three games]. In that first-half, to be honest, Limerick were the better team – they missed a lot of chances and that was the difference. In the second-half we were more clinical in front of goal.”
He continued: “We had more control and game play to our second-half, with mistakes included, but it was certainly a game that we managed.
“For the goal there was a great run by Paul McNamara, he picked up the break and it was a great finish.
“We certainly needed that goal – as a cushion for ourselves – because I think that wind was worth four or five points. We just reset during the half-time break and looked at what we could do in the second-half.”
McEntee was impressed with the second-half input of substitute Luke Towey, who was available again after missing the Wicklow game because of a onematch ban.
“He won two or three breaks and brought the game forward well. I thought he did really well when he came in.”
The Armagh native reiterated his satisfaction with the result in Rathkeale. “I’m more than happy with how the game ended and more than happy that we’ve four points out of six – now we can continue to drive on and try to improve.
“We are in a really good position and for the four games that are left we can plan for promotion rather than be worrying about relegation – we still need more points on the board of course.
“This is a mindset change for us, in terms of where we are now.”
Sligo are at home this
Sunday and Antrim’s visit to the north-west will have Sligo fans recalling, with some delight, those clashes with the northerners in 2009 and 2010 when Sligo beat Antrim in the Division Four final (2009) and Division Three decider 12 months later.
McEntee expects Antrim to be gritty opponents. “On any particular day these games can swing either way – in a lot of them there is only a point or two between teams.
“I won’t read too much into the fact that Antrim lost to
Down – but we will have to try to take advantage of playing at home.”
He added: “We have to keep our momentum going against Antrim.”
AFL DIVISION THREE 2024
ROUND ONE RESULTS
(Played on January 28)
Clare 0-9, Sligo 1-5; Offaly 0-10, Westmeath 1-11; Wicklow 0-13, Down 0-18; Limerick 2-7, Antrim 2-14. ROUND TWO RESULTS
(Played on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4)
Down 3-16, Limerick 0-9; Sligo 2-10, Wicklow 1-11; Antrim 2-5, Offaly 1-7; Westmeath 1-11, Clare 0-13. ROUND THREE RESULTS
(Sunday, February 18)
ROUND FOUR FIXTURES