Minors into Connacht final with Galway
SLIGO advanced to the Connacht Minor Football Championship final last Wednesday evening after they grinded out a five-point win over neighbours Leitrim at Markievicz Park. In an error-strewn contest, the home side did just enough to get the better of the visitors who will rue the accumulation of 13 wides over the course of the hour. In difficult conditions – heavy rain made the playing surface incredibly greasy – Sligo showed tremendous character to withstand the concession of three goals by hitting the net three times themselves, and the winners finished strongly to eventually break the stubborn resistance of a welldrilled Leitrim outfit. A subdued opening half saw Sligo trail 1-4 to 0-5 at the interval, but proceedings sparked into life after the restart with both sides committing to attack and providing excellent entertainment for the 1185 attendance. Leitrim’s first half goal was a major blow to Sligo just before halftime, when goalkeeper Alan Davey stepped over his line in gathering Jordan Reynolds’ long-range shot in the 28th minute, and the visitors suddenly found themselves in the ascendency. In truth, their lead was well-merited and despite a decent start for David Cummins’ Sligo – they led 0-3 to 0-2 after the opening quarter with Luke Towey, Conal Ryan and Red Óg Murphy finding range early on – Leitrim entered half-time two points to the good after the impressive Caleb Duffy kicked his third point in first half injury-time. Sligo, however, were full of intent after the break and received a major boost when Red Óg Murphy netted in the 32nd minute after Oisin Conlon and Luke Towey created the opportunity. The game opened up thereafter and Leitrim responded in style three minutes later with their second goal, when Sligo lost possession in defence and Oisín McLoughlin capitalised to restore Leitrim’s two point lead. But in remarkable fashion, Sligo had the ball in the net at the other end in seconds as Evan Lavin took on possession from the kick-out and added a deft finish at the end of a powerful 50-metre run to give Sligo the advantage once again. The sides exchanged points to leave Sligo 2-7 to 2-6 ahead with 15 minutes to play, but the home side were dealt a major blow when the influential Red Óg Murphy was black-carded in the 37th minute. However, after Evan Harkin levelled matters for Leitrim, Sligo put some daylight between the sides in the 46th minute when Ryan Walsh netted after an excellent Niall Colsh run to give his side a 3-7 to 2-7 lead. To their credit, Leitrim found their third goal two minutes later when Oisin McLoughlin scored an opportunistic goal from nothing to restore parity, and the game was firmly in the melting pot. It was at this stage that Sligo stamped their authority on an increasingly frantic second half, and scored five points without reply in the final ten minutes as Lavin, Towey, Walsh and the impressive Ryan (2) sent Sligo into a Connacht final meeting with Galway next Sunday. SLIGO: A Davey; E Lyons, J Ellis, J Weir; B Cox, E Lavin (1-1), O Conlon; N Colsh, B Gorman (0-1); R Anderson (0-1), L Towey (0-2), C O’Dowd; C Ryan (0-4), R Óg Murphy (1-2, 2fs), Karl McKenna. Subs used: M Cahill (for Murphy, 38 BC), R Walsh (for O’Dowd, 39) (1-1), J Stephenson (for Anderson, 52) J McMunn (for Lavin, 62) LEITRIM: E Gallagher; C Dwyer, S Harkin, E Harkin (0-1); C Cullen, S Chandler, M Diffley; A Hoare (0-1), R Sheridan; O McLoughlin (2-1, 1f), J Clancy, R O’Rourke; D Devaney (0-1, f), C Duffy (0-3), J Reynolds (1-0). Subs used: C Kiernan (for Devanney, 30), M Keegan (for Cullen, HT), P Prior (for Diffley, 56), P Kelly (Reynolds, 61), C Kenny (for Keegan, 64) REFEREE: L Devenney (Mayo)