Second half goals not enough as Sligo Masters are beaten at semi finals stage
TYRONE SLIGO 0-18 2-8
SLIGO fell at the semi final hurdle against a fit and robust Tyrone outfit in Lacken GAA in Cavan last Saturday.
Wayward shooting and a failure to make the most of goal chances cost the Yeats County. Physically stronger and enjoying a notable height advantage over their Ulster opponents, Sligo failed to play to these strengths until the second half.
Tyrone played the first half on their terms, dropping deep then hitting on the counter with runners coming from everywhere.
Every Tyrone kick-out went short too from where they got their running game going.
Eamonn O’Hara and Dessie Sloyan in the full forward line had the Tyrone full back line scrambling but too few long balls were tried.
Tyrone led 0-09 to 0-04 at the break, though John McPartland was unlucky to see his rasper the wrong side of the crossbar after Sligo’s best move of the match. Eamonn O’Hara and Sloyan provided Sligo’s other points.
Straight from the throw-in, Sligo should have had a goal but from the edge of the small square David Durkin’s effort too went over the bar after good work by Johnny Kenny.
High balls were wreaking havoc and with a squeeze on the Tyrone kick-out, Sligo were much more in the game.
Goals from John McPartland and Sloyan gave Sligo heart as they grew into the game but Tyrone found space as Sligo pushed forward and kicked some excellent points. Only for Colin Gordon in the Sligo goals Tyrone would have had a couple of goals themselves.
With three in it another long ball saw Sloyan cut in for what looked like a certain goal when it seemed he was bundled to ground.
The penalty wasn’t given however and the Easkey man’s protestations with the ref saw him black carded.
A number of goal mouth scrambles saw Tyrone just about keep the goal intact for the remainder with a Fergal Kelly point rounding off the Sligo scoring.
It was a disappointing end to a promising season where Sligo had won five of their six group games. Ronan Keane and Gerry Monaghan’s men fought to the end but a poor opening half gave them too much to do and saw them try force goals when easy points were available.
With club championship on Sean Davey and Michael Moyles were unavailable as was Paul Taylor. They were missed in a game where rolling subs are key.
Sligo’s strength at this level has seen them contest an All-Ireland final last year and in the top four of sixteen counties this year.
With a few ‘young’ players to come in next year they can again mount a challenge for honours.