Hurlers in action. Page 44
SLIGO’S hopes of winning their first ever U-21 C title came to an end on Saturday evening as the first half goal from Oisin Rooney proved to be a vital score as he scored after just 3 minutes of the game and it would be the only goal in the match.
Sligo started well when captain Kevin Banks got the opening point of the match but the visitors, who were looking to make three in row, scored 1-3 without reply to take control of the match.
Eamon Kilgallon reduced the gap with a badly needed point for Sligo, giving his side a boost but just as they reduced the gap Shaun Curran restored the lead for Donegal.
Dual star Gerard O’Kelly Lynch got a fine score for his side but the visitors finished strongly to lead at the break 1-8 to 0-6.
Sligo got the first three points of the second half all coming from Easkey man Joe McHugh to reduce the margin to just two points. Aaron McAuley replied for his side as he tried to stop the momentum which was coming from the home side.
The sides would be level with 11 minutes to play as three points on the bounce with a brace from McHugh his fifth of the half and super score from Banks had Sligo level.
It looked like Sligo would push on but the experience of Donegal paid off as they scored five points without reply to go on to win by the five points.
Donegal Tom Clare; Stephen Doherty, Aiden Stokes, Ciarán Rami; Conor O’Grady, Jack O’Loughlin (0-1, 1 ’65), Caolan McDermott; Sam ‘Roe’ Doherty (0-2), Seán Anderson; Sean Curran (0-4), Oisin Rooney (1-0), Paul Nelson; Eddie Lynch (0-3), Aaron McAuley (0-1), Jonny Carlin. Subs: Justin McBride for McDermott (half-time), Kevin Kealy (0-2) for Nelson (33), Ben Doherty (0-1) for S.Doherty (52), Cathal Doherty for Carlin (54).
Sligo Fionn Morrissey; Joe Moran, Gavin Feely, Cathal Jordan; Kevin Banks (0-2, 1f), Ronan Redmond, Finnian Cawley; David Kilrehill, Paul Kilcoyne; Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch (0-1), Mikey Gordon, Eamonn Kilgallon (0-2); Niall Feehily (0-1), Joe McHugh (0-5, 5f), Kieran Prior (0-1). Subs used : Gerard Perry for Feehily (57).