Monaghan put an end to Sligo’s winning run with two point victory

at Markievicz Park SLIGO MONAGHAN 2- 11 2- 13 Sligo` s winning run in the Celtic Challenge came to an end when they were defeated in the final round by Monaghan on a scoreline of Sligo 2- 11, Monaghan 2- 13.

This game was played in Markievicz Park on Wednesday in front of a large number of supporters.

Sligo rested a number of players in preparation for the play off on Saturday, in which they were defeated by Down ( report for that game can be found above).

Monaghan got the first score of the match from a free.

Sligo` s first score, a point came from Mark Devaney. Sligo then followed with three more points, two points by John Cosgrave and a point from play from Jason Winters.

Monaghan dominated the next passage of play scoring four points.

John Cosgrave got a point from a free but it was Monaghan who finished the better in the first half with 1- 3, the goal coming on the stroke of half time.

At the break Monaghan led 1- 8 to 0- 5

Kieran Prior got a goal in the first minute but this was quickly followed by Monaghan` s second goal.

A second goal for Sligo from Andrew Kilcullen left the score Sligo 2- 6, Monaghan 2- 10.

Sligo got the next four points to level the match and we were looking good.

A point each and again the sides were level.

In the last two minutes Monaghan were awarded two frees much to the disappointment of the Sligo supporters.

Both were pointed by Monaghan` s number 11, the side’s top scorer and thus, victory was sealed.

This loss does not alter Sligo` s position as top of the table as we have secured four wins out of five.

The team for the game was as follows: Luke Comerford, Niall Mc Dermott, Sean Hallinan, Aaron Rooney, Kevin Mc Gee,Donall Hanley, Niall Feehily, John Cosgrave( 0- 3( 2f ), Darragh Tobin, Mark Devaney( 0- 1),Jason Winters( 0- 2), James O` Connor, Padraig Maxwell, Tony Healy, Mickey Mc Donagh.

Subs used: James Weir, Rory Mc Hugh( 0- 3( 2f ), Mark Connell, Andrew Kilcullen( 1- 0), Oisin Grehan( 0- 1), Kieran Prior( 1- 0), Sean Chambers, Kevin O` Kennedy, Oisin Brady. Subs: Shane Brennan, Conor Feely, Mark Harkin, Ronan Molloy.

The team have qualified for Division 1 of The Celtic Challenge.

This is The Michael Hogan Cup and they will play Down in the preliminary round on Saturday at 11 am in Abbottstown, Dublin.

The other teams in this division are Antrim, Offaly, South Kilkenny, Cork City, North Galway and Dublin Pearse.