Sligo are in more jeopardy after a loss to Wexford
Lidl Ladies NFL
Division Three – Round Six Wexford 3-7 Sligo 1-7
SLIGO LGFA is on a high following Bank Holiday Monday’s victory for St Attracta’s Community School in the Lidl All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘B’ Championship final.
But a massive low looms – potentially – because the Sligo LGFA county team is on the brink of relegation from Division Three of this year’s Lidl National Football League.
Last Sunday’s six-point away loss to the Lizzy Kent-managed Wexford, 3-7 to 1-7, extended Sligo’s winless run to six games.
Cormac Reape’s side are bottom of the table with only a point to show for their efforts so far (an opening round draw against Offaly on January 21).
Salvation, however, could be theirs. If Sligo defeat Louth at Cloonacool Community Park this coming Sunday (throw-in 2pm) and Antrim lose at home to the unbeaten Roscommon then Sligo will survive. Second from bottom Antrim are aiming to beat the drop, too, while unbeaten Roscommon are already in the decider along with Clare. The bottom two make the drop to Division Four for next year.
Sligo took on Wexford at Tintern Sports Complex, Ballycullane, with this round six tie moved from the original venue of St Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy.
The Connacht county faced their south-east assignment after failing to beat Offaly, Clare, Down (a one-point loss), Roscommon and Antrim.
Both counties only scored twice during a very low-scoring first-half – Sligo notched 0-2 compared to 1-1 from a wind-assisted Wexford, who goaled in the 29th minute.
Rory McHugh
Luke Comerford, Kevin O’Kennedy
Sligo’s first-half scorers were Rianne Smith and Aoife Morrisoe, with goalkeeper Ellen McGuire making a series of fine saves.
The visitors were better in the second-half and Sinead Regan’s 35th minute goal, which followed a point by the busy Leah Duffy, brought Sligo level, 1-3 to 1-3.
But Sligo’s situation changed dramatically by the 47th minute when they found themselves eight points down, 3-6 to 1-4, following further Wexford goals from Chloe Foxe and
Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin, who netted Wexford’s first-half goal.
Sligo added three more points thanks to Jade Lyons, Rianne Smith and Leah Duffy but they faced a sixpoint deficit at full-time.
Ellen McGuire, Jennie Creegan, Ellie McDermott, Claire Dunne, Tara Breheny (0-1), Aoife Morrisroe (0-1), Isabella Henry, Eryn Lavin, Sinead Regan (1-0), Cora Gilligan, Leah Duffy (0-2), Megan McCormack, Rachel O’Brien, Nicola Brennan, Rianne Smith (0-2, 1f)
Subs used: Ella Boland, Jade Lyons (0-1), Nisha McDonagh, Amy Kennedy, Fiona Feeney
STANDINGS
LIDL LADIES NFL DIVISION THREE
W L FA Diff 5 0 107 49 +58 5 0 82 49 +33 4 2 80 61 +19 3 2 49 53 -4 2 3 73 81 -8 1 4 69 93 -14 1 5 70 111 -41 0 5 68 101 -33
1. Clare
2. Roscommon
3. Down
4. Wexford
5. Offaly
6. Louth
7. Antrim
8. Sligo