Masters good run goes on with Galway victory

SLIGO GALWAY

AFTER a good run of form in their previous games, the Sligo Masters looked to overcome the Galway Masters in Tourlestrane on Wednesday last in Tourlestrane. Unfortunately, Galway were without a set of jerseys for the game, and thus the game started late. This saw the Tribesmen have to resort to their luminous green training bibs.

With their bright jerseys, Galway wouldn’t have had much of a problem in picking out their teammates, and they seemed to know where the goalposts were too, scoring the first point of the game after two minutes.

Both teams brought good pace to the game in the opening minutes, as Sligo looked to gain the lead.

After numerous missed opportunities, Eamonn O’Hara struck Sligo’s first point of the game, followed by a point from wing back Morgan McCormack.

Two minutes later, and we had the first goal of the game, with Johnny Kenny’s 45 finding Fergal Kelly who fisted the ball past the Galway keeper.

Michael Moyles added three points before the end of the half, along with a well taken point from Padraic Doohan.

The half time whistle couldn’t come quick enough, with Sligo going in ahead.

Half time, Sligo 1-6 Galway 0-4. Galway certainly had to improve on their first half performance, with their best work coming in the opening minutes of the game.

This pattern seemed to appear in the second half also, as they kicked two points in the opening ten minutes.

Sligo needed a score to extend their lead, and did so as Padraic Doohan kicked his second of the game.

Five minutes later, a high ball was kicked into the Galway penalty area, as Eamonn O’Hara won the ball and later fouled.

Up stepped Johnny Kenny, whose penalty was very well saved, as the Galway keeper got down well to his right hand corner.

Sligo worked a point from the 45 resulting of the penalty save, bringing their lead to five points.

A minute later, Eamonn O’Hara brought Sligo fans on a trip down memory lane, with a goal to seal the victory against Galway.

Despite being down by eight points, Galway kept trying to turn the tie around, but couldn’t get the ball past either of the Sligo goalkeepers Gerry Dooner and Fintan Kennedy.

Solid work around the middle of the field from David Durcan, Nigel Clancy, Con O’Meara and Paul Durcan certainly deserved a mention, as Sligo continue their excellent run of form.

Sligo team:

Gerry Dooner; Damien Kelly, David Killoran, Ronan Keane; Morgan McCormack(0-1), David Durcan, Frances Candon; Con O’Meara, Nigel Clancy; Padraic Doohan(0-2), Michael Moyles(0-3), Eamonn O’Hara(1-2); Johnny Kenny, Fergal Kelly(1-0), Christy Walsh;

Subs (all used):

Fintan Kennedy, Declan Cawley, Terry Farrelly, Blair Foley, Pat Fenton, Martin Nealon, Paul Durcan, Dessie Sloyan, Dermot Browne, Garrett Mullaney.

Referee: John Gilmartin.