Minors are looking to build on success of last year’s League

SLIGO will set out to defend their Connacht Minor League crown when they meet Longford in the first round of this year’s competition next Sunday. 2015 saw Sligo claim an historic title with a final day defeat of Mayo – the county’s first title since 1984 – and they subsequently went on to reach the Connacht Championship final, only to lose to Galway after a replay. The new season will see a new- look Sligo side, with influential figures such as Eddie McGuinness, Kyle Cawley and Darragh Cummins all overage in 2016.

Nonetheless, David Cummins and his management team will have a talented pool of players to pick from. The fact that Summerhill College and St Attracta’s clash in Saturday’s Connacht Post Primary Schools ‘ A’ Championship final gives reason to be optimistic as a number of county players feature for both sides. As a result Sligo’s squad will be tested as those with school commitments will be unable to don the county jersey while they remain involved with their respective schools in the Connacht and All- Ireland series. Nonetheless, there is still a strong squad at Cummins’ disposal for Sunday’s tie, with a number of players from last year’s squad still underage in 2016. Add into the mix a new crop of players making the step- up from U16, and the fact that Sligo schools are making waves at Connacht level, there is no doubting that this is a crop of players capable of delivering on the biggest stage. Ultimately, Sligo’s priority will be to go one step further than 2015 and claim a provincial championship title for the first time since 1968, but the league is an important cornerstone to the season. After this weekend’s encounter, Sligo will play Leitrim, Galway, Roscommon and Mayo, with the team that finishes top of the table claiming the honours in April. Sligo are set to face Roscommon in the Connacht Minor Football Championship quarter- final in June.