Hurlers remain unbeaten
Allianz Football League Division 3A - Round Four Sligo 2-23 Monaghan 1-20
SLIGO’S senior hurlers are still unbeaten in this year’s Allianz Hurling League following last Sunday’s eventually comfortable sixpoint defeat of 14-man Monaghan, 2-23 to 1-20, at Markievicz Park.
Boosted by a straight red card for Monaghan’s Ethan Flynn in firsthalf stoppage time, which left the visitors with 14 players for the entire second-half, and further inspired by the introduction of Thomas Cawley, who bagged 1-2, Sligo have moved closer to silverware in manager Stephen Sheil’s first campaign.
Assured of their place in Division Three of next year’s revamped Allianz Hurling League, Sligo have two chances to make this year’s Division 3A decider.
Beating table toppers Mayo at Kent Park this coming Saturday
STANDINGS
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3A W L A Diff 4 0 51 +56 3 0 94 +18 2 2 92 -2 1 3 113 -26 1 3 110 -32
0 3 81 -14
1. Mayo
2. Sligo
3. Cavan
4. Louth
5. Monaghan
6. Armagh (throw-in 1pm) will put Sligo into the final – finishing second (should they lose to Mayo) will secure a semi-final place.
Given that they scored 25 times last Sunday and the fact that there was an extensive list of absentees, among them Rory McHugh, Niall Kilcullen, Niall Feehily, Conor Griffin and Tony O’Kelly-Lynch, this was a solid yet flawed win for Sligo.
Monaghan, who were without full-forward and captain Niall Arthur, still had an immense sharpshooter, Leo Moloney, who scored 1-11, but he was the visitors’ main source of scores. The Ulster county had seven scorers but they were overwhelmed by Sligo’s scoring power – nine of the home side’s starting XV found the target and three substitutes also scored.
Sligo were three points up at half-time, 1-10 to 0-10, with the difference being Kilkenny native Eddie O’Donoghue’s fortuitous 13th minute goal. When Thomas Cawley netted from a rebound after a Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch free attempt came off the upright after 48 minutes Sligo were seven points up, 2-15 to 0-14, and seemingly snug.
But a scrappy Monaghan goal –
Leo Moloney’s long-range free somehow slipped into the net – momentarily chilled the home fans, who were also frustrated by Sligo’s 15 wides.
Sligo had enough craft – overall – and having a player like Thomas Cawley to add to the fray was an immense option for manager Stephen Sheil.
Other highlights included a brilliant longrange point from Fionn Moylan, a monster free conversion by Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, who scored 0-7 in all, a bright display from teenager Donnchadh O’Brien, the scorer of 0-2, James Weir’s foraging in defence as well as another diligent display from Michael Munnelly, who was deployed in midfield alongside Fionn Moylan.
Sligo, though, are generous – they’ve scored 86 times (13-73) in four games but the concession of 70 scores (8-62) is a trait that Mayo, who scored 28 points when overcoming Louth last Sunday, could punish.
“We’re happy with the result but we’ve big improvements to make,” said manager Stephen Sheil afterwards. “I think the lads dug in, Monaghan are a decent side to be fair, they are physical and they were never going to lie down and let us walk over them.”
Best for Sligo: Thomas Cawley
Sligo (v Monaghan): Declan Reidy, Donal Keaveny, James Weir, Kevin O’Kennedy (01), Joe McHugh (0-1), Gavin Connolly, Fionn Connolly, Fionn Moylan (0-2), Michael Munnelly (0-2), Liam O’Kelly-Lynch (0-1), Eddie O’Donoghue (1-0), Conor Hannify (0-3), Donnchadh O’Brien (0-2), Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch (0-7, 6f), Darragh Flynn
Subs used: Thomas Cawley (1-2), Finnian Cawley (0-1), Eoghan Rua McGowan,
Donall Hanley (0-1), Shane Brenan