Ten man Sligo/ Leitrim suffer defeat
SLIGO/ LEITRIM INISHOWEN 1 3 THE Sligo Leitrim District Soccer League had their first competitive outing in this year’s Oscar Traynor Competition at home to the Inishowen League winners in 2014/ 2015 and beaten semi- finalists last season.
This once again would be the yard stick by which this section would be measured.
The game was four minutes old when Mark Mc Goldrick gave the Sligo Leitrim District League a dream start firing past Kevin Mc Laughlin in the Inishowen goals.
The home side were playing with authority well marshalled in defence with Mark Rooney in goals full backs Damien Scanlon and Gerard Mc Dermottroe, Conor Griffin and John Gaffney a formidable back line.
Inishowen however kept cool playing the ball out from the back at all times with Aiden Friel and Dillon Ruddy breaking quickly at every opportunity.
Inishowen were rewarded on thirty minutes with an equaliser from the ever- alert Terence Doherty and five minutes later the game was on its head.
Matthew Henry fired Inishowen ahead and Aiden Friel added a third while referee Tomas Oates gave Conor Griffin his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
The half time whistle gave the Sligo Leitrim District League time to catch their breath but perhaps it was only going to prolong the inevitable with a man down.
Manager John Loftus and his assistant Lee Marshall would need a super human effort from the squad if they were to take anything from this game and the last sixteen minutes of the first gave little indication this might happen.
The second half got under way and Inishowen continued to dominate but despite their domination they were unable to convert their superiority into more goals.
This was due to some poor finishing but also a great rearguard action by the ten man Sligo Leitrim team.
Inishowen on this display will once again be the team to beat in this section.
Sligo Leitrim District League travel to Coothill Co Cavan on Sunday the 27th November for their next encounter away to Cavan/ Monaghan that has a 1.30pm Kick Off.
This will be a vital game for both sides if they have any ambition to go past the opening rounds.
Inishowen on the other hand will be at home in Maginn Park Buncrana to neighbours Donegal Town a local derby that should prove very interesting.
Sligo Leitrim District League will have their Final game in the first round on the 8th January 2017 when they will be at home to Donegal in Match Day Three in what yet prove a vital encounter.
Sligo Leitrim DSL: Mark Rooney, Damien Scanlon, Gerard Mc Dermottroe, Conor Griffin, John Gaffney, Ryan Mc Manus, Conor Brennan, Ross Mc Loughlin ( Captain), Mark Mc Goldrick, Danny Browne, Patrick Woulfe, Ibraham Savage; Michael Casey; Fergal O Hara; Mark Mc Callion; Mick Corrigan; Gary Finan, Graham Lee.
Manager: John Loftus; Assistant Lee Marshall. Inishowen League: Kevin Mc Laughlin; Michael Barr; Fearghal Harkin; Matthew Byrne; Shane Canning; Aiden Friel; Dillon Ruddy, Terence Doherty; Matthew Henry; Nigel Mc Monagle; Bob Buchanan; Shaun Doherty; William Mc Laughlin; Anthony Doherty; Darragh Mc Laughlin. Manager Diarmuid O Brien Match Officials: Referee Tomas Oates Linesmen Stephen Mc Garry, Keenan Deering.