Sligo begin 2024 season with a game against the Rossies

THE Sligo senior Gaelic footballers begin their competititve campaign for 2024 tomorrow, Friday, with an FBD Connacht GAA Senior Football League quarter-final against Roscommon. This game takes place indoors at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan (7pm start).

Sligo boss Tony McEntee, who is heading into a fourth year at the helm, will be using this game to assess and finalise his panel ahead of Sligo’s participation in the Allianz Football League at the end of this month. Sligo’s return to Division Three begins with an away game against Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis, on Sunday, January 28 (2pm start).

A revamped Sligo panel includes a number of players from last year’s successful Sligo U-20 panel, including Canice Mulligan, Luke Casserly, Dylan Walsh and Daire O’Boyle.

Sligo lost by seven points to Davy Burke’s Roscommon, 3-17 to 2-13, in last year’s FBD Connacht GAA Senior Football League semi-final. They were also beaten by Roscommon when the counties met in the group stage of the GAA Football AllIreland Senior Football Championship (Sam Maguire Cup), a fixture that saw Roscommon win by 10 points at Dr Hyde Park.

But last year saw Sligo reach the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship final – Roscommon lost to Galway in the semi-final.

If Sligo defeat the Rossies – who are an Allianz Football League Division One team – they’ll be playing either holders Mayo or London in the semi-final – Mayo take on London in Sunday’s quarter-final (1pm).

Sligo’s semi-final, should they qualify for it, is scheduled for Saturday week, January 13 (7pm). The other semi-final, between Leitrim and Galway, goes ahead on Friday next, January 12 (7pm). The competition final, which will be televised live on TG4, takes place on Friday, January 19 (7.30pm). All games take place at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome. Games must be finished on the day – extra-time and penalties if necessary.