New season beginning
SLIGO’S Senior and U20 footballers return for the new 2020 season this weekend as the Yeats men get their campaigns underway.
The U20s are away to Longford in their opening game in the Philly McGuinness Cup.
The Yeats men reached the final of the inaugural year of the tournament last year when they were defeated by Tyrone.
New manager Dessie Sloyan and his young team are facing Longford in Allen Park, Clonguish on Saturday with a throw-in time of 2pm.
The following weekend sees them taking on Fermanagh at home in Round 2 of the competition.
The new-look Connacht FBD League also begins this weekend with Sligo having a home fixture with neighbours Roscommon.
Paul Taylor’s Sligo are taking on Anthony Cunninham’s side in the quarter final in Markievicz Park on Sunday at 2pm.
The winner of that game is through to the semi final where Leitirim await on January 12t in Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada.
In the other semi-final, Galway and Mayo face each other in Elvery’s MacHale Park with the final on January 19th.
Sligo manager Paul Taylor said the FBD is ideal preparation for the upcoming Allianz League, which sees Sligo having a tough opening game away to an ever-improving London at home in Ruislip.
“You’re always hoping to win your first game in the FBD and to progress in it, these are all competitive games and good preparation for the league.
“If we win we progress to the semi final with Leitrim, and all these games are really good preparation for us.”
With a squad of 40 or so players and some returning ahead of the new season that were unavailable last year, there is plenty of talent to chose from for the Eastern Harps man.
The senior team will be hoping to put a dismal 2019 behind them as they embark on a new season starting this weekend.
The Allianz League begins on January 26th.