A return to winning
cleared by goalkeeper Noel Maher.
However, the referee called play back and after consulting his umpires, a goal was awarded. It helped Sligo establish a 3-3 to 0-3 half-time lead, which more-or-less put the result out of doubt ahead of the second half.
Paul Taylor had the luxury of introducing significant experience off the bench after half time, with Pat Hughes, Keelan Cawley, Stephen Coen and Adrian Marren all getting game time.
Hughes enjoyed a particularly productive cameo: he rattled the London net twice. His first was a booming effort from range after he showed all his strength to create the opportunity to put Sligo 4-8 to 0-6 ahead with just over 20 minutes to play. His second came a minute later and like O’Connor’s second, was of the fortunate variety, with a long-range point attempt ending up in the net.
Sligo led by 5-8 to 0-6 at this stage and the game was as good as over, but London battled gamely with Gavaghan to the fore. They kicked four points on the trot to close the gap somewhat, with a late Stephen Coen point rounding off Sligo’s scoring exploits as they went top of Division Four for a week at least ahead of next Sunday’s meeting with fellow promotion hopefuls Antrim. SLIGO: A Devaney (0-1, 45’); JF Carr, E McGuinness, M Gordon; N Mullen, P McNamara, S Carrabine; P O’Connor (2-0), P Kilcoyne; G O’Kelly-Lynch, C Griffin, D Cummins (1-0); L Gaughan (0-4, 3fs), C Lally, R Óg Murphy (0-2). Subs used: P Hughes (2-1), K Cawley, S Coen (0-1), N Ewing. LONDON: N Maher; P Butler, M Moynihan, C O’Neill; R Sloan, E Flanagan, C Coyne; L Gavaghan (0-7, 4fs), C O’Doherty; K Rafferty, F McMahon, D Carrabine; L Gallagher, J Hynes, S Hickey (0-3). Subs used: R Forde (0-1, f), T Hill, T Clarke, E Walsh. REFEREE: P Falloon (Down).