Semi-finals are up next in Sligo SHC are group phase is completed

THE Sligo Senior Hurling Championship has reached the semi-final stage and the long-predicted county final pairing of holders Easkey and last year’s runnersup Naomh Eoin gets closer.

In the first of this year’s county semi-finals, Easkey, who topped the standings with a 100% record after the round-robin phase, face their west Sligo rivals Western Gaels this Sunday at St Brendan’s GAA Park, Corballa (12.30pm).

Three of Easkey’s victories were walkovers – with Coolera-Strandhill (round two), Tourlestrane (round three) and Western Gaels (round five) unable to field against the champions. This situation dilutes the integrity of the Sligo Senior Hurling Championship, something that the Sligo GAA Hurling Board and Sligo GAA Competitions Control Committee may wish to address going forward.

Easkey, who have only played two games in this