Semi-final exit for teens
SLIGO’S U-17 hurlers were beaten by 18 points, 6-19 to 2-13, by Wicklow in the GAA Celtic Challenge Michael Hogan Cup semi-final at St Loman’s, Mullingar, on Saturday last.
The winners from Leinster led throughout but their tally was inflated somewhat by three late goals that significantly boosted their winning margin.
Sligo, who defeated Mayo in a quarter-final the previous weekend, were 0-4 to 0-0 down when Robert O’Kelly-Lynch opened their account with a pointed free.
The Darragh Cox-managed side briefly got within reach of their opponents when Ciaran Keenan of Western Gaels goaled.
But Sligo were five points down at the water break, 1-7 to 1-2, and trailed by 13 points at half-time, 3-11 to 1-4.
Sligo improved in the second period, adding a second goal through Eoin Kerrigan, with Paul O’Brien, Kerrigan’s Benbulben Gaels’ clubmate, on target with a point from play.
Naomh Eoin star Robert O’Kelly-Lynch was Sligo’s top scorer.
Seamus Foody, Lee Gilmartin, Cian Flynn (c), Darragh Flynn, Eoghan Durkan, Ciaran Keenan, James O’Connell, Stephen Rogan, Sean Donegan (Western Gaels); Hugo Filan, Conor White, Daniel Tiernan, Donnachadh O’Brien, Thomas Davis, Paul O’Brien, Oisin Hennessy, Eoin Kerrigan, Matthew Percy, Joseph McCaughey (Benbulben Gaels); Robert O’Kelly-Lynch, Corey O’Dowd, Brendan Munnelly,
James Hargadon (Naomh Eoin); Jamie Walsh, Mark McDaniel, Jack Feeney (Coolera-Strandhill); Zak Nealon (Tourlestrane) Manager: Darragh Cox