Sligo-Leitrim reach semi-final with win away to Wexford

THE Sligo-Leitrim and District Soccer League’s representative side are through to the semi-finals of this season’s FAI Oscar Traynor Inter-League Cup. A gritty 1-0 away defeat of Wexford – with Cian Kilcoyne scoring the game’s only goal on Sunday last – has catapulted Sligo-Leitrim into the last four where they’ll face their Connacht rivals, Mayo, at a neutral venue on the weekend of March 30-31.

Second-half substitute Cian Kilcoyne, who was brought on in the last 10 minutes, wasn’t long on the pitch when he struck what proved to be the winning goal.

Sligo-Leitrim, who are managed by John Loftus, with Lee Marshall and Adrian Burke assisting, had several chances to take the lead before Cian Kilcoyne’s late show at the home of Gorey Rangers in Ramstown. Niall Brennan had an effort saved by the Wexford goalkeeper and another attempt from the Carbury player was cleared off the goal-line. There were also opportunities for Ryan McManus, whose goal attempt from a free-kick came off the crossbar, Steven Armstrong and Malachy Spratt.

In what was a well-contested fixture, hosts Wexford had their moments but they were foiled by the Sligo-Leitrim defence. The winners were captained by Christopher Kelly.

The competition’ss other semi-final will be contested by Waterford and the winners of the quarter-final involving Donegal and Leinster. The FAI Oscar Traynor InterLeague Cup final is provisionally scheduled for the weekend of April 20-21.

Sligo-Leitrim squad (v Wexford): Ronan Callaghan (gk), Leo Doherty, Mark Hannon, Ryan McManus, Bryan Lynch, Eoin Stinchon, Malachy Spratt, Steven Armstrong, Keith Nibbs, Christopher Kelly (c), Niall Brennan, Dylan Henry, Ray Walshe, Stephen Keenan, Gary Farren, Luke Flynn, Cian Kilcoyne, Ultan McKenna (gk)

QUARTER-FINALISTS: Sligo-Leitrim’s starting team for last Sunday’s FAI Oscar Traynor InterLeague Cup quarter-final away to Wexford. Sligo-Leitrim won 1-0.