A big win for Sligo’s U-20 stars
Sligo are through to GAA Hurling’s All-Ireland U-20 ‘B’ Championship semi-final after defeat of Rossies
GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-20 ‘B’ Championship Sligo 1-18 Roscommon 1-16
SLIGO’S U-20 hurlers are through to an All-Ireland semi-final thanks to Tuesday evening’s dramatic two-point defeat of Roscommon, 1-18 to 1-16, at Dr Hyde Park.
Two late pointed frees from Fergal O’Kelly-Lynch, who bagged half a dozen points in all, put Sligo in next Tuesday’s GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-20 ‘B’ Championship semi-final against Derry.
Also on scoring form for the winners in this Richie McElligott Cup fixture was Thomas Cawley, who notched 0-5, with Cahan Hallinan scoring Sligo’s only goal in the first-half. Defenders
Niall Kilcullen and Darragh Cawley were outstanding throughout. Roscommon made a game of it despite having only 14 players for the last 13 minutes due to Paddy Gannon’s 52nd minute red card.
Sligo, who were without the suspended Fionn Moylan, got a brilliant start via an early goal from Cahan Hallinan. This goal, added to points from Thomas Cawley and the busy Ethan Scully, gave Sligo a 1-2 to 0-0 advantage. Roscommon eventually settled with pointed frees from Adam Donnelly, who was their chief scoring threat. A goal from Padraic Galvin – from a Sligo error – helped the hosts draw level.
Further points for Sligo from Michael Munnelly, Darragh Cawley and Ethan Scully, along with a brace of frees from Fergal O’Kelly-Lynch, had Sligo four points up before the break, 1-10 to 1-6. But Roscommon halved the deficit with two more scores.
Sligo went behind for the first time in the 45th minute and needed another pointed free from Thomas Cawley to make it 1-13 each before the water break.
Michael Munnelly’s third point of the game put Sligo back in front, 1-14 to 1-13, and then there was Paddy Gannon’s dismissal which saw Roscommon reduced to 14 players. But matters continued to be closely contested, with the move of custodian Trevor Fallon to an outfield role helping Roscommon.
A pointed free from Thomas Cawley edged Sligo in front – again – but Roscommon tied things up with a score from goalkeeper-turned-forward