Sligo salvage a late point

SLIGO 2-11 LEITRIM 1-14

REIGNING champions Sligo scored a late, late penalty to set up a mouth-watering must-win tie this evening with Mayo in Castlebar (6:30pm).

It was a penalty from Luke Marren that earned the Yeats county a draw in Markievicz Park on Wednesday in front of a decent crowd of supporters.

Andy Moran’s side looked in control at Markievicz Park as they led by six points after Darren Coen netted to put them 1-13 to 1-7 ahead with 12 minutes to play.

Sligo started the game brightly, racing into a three-point lead after six minutes with Eli Rooney, Connor Flynn and Rossa Sloyan on target.

Leitrim soon settled as they drew level with Coen and Barry McNulty on the mark.

Flynn got Sligo’s opening goal on 19 minutes. They went five points clear on 22 minutes but Leitrim finished the half the stronger with four points without reply through Jack Casey, McNulty and Paul Honeyman to leave just a point between the sides at the break.

Leitrim looked like they would come away with victory but Sligo were inspired by substitute Marren who scored 1-4 to ensure Sligo remain in hunt for a semi-final spot.

The other game in Connacht also finished in a draw, Roscommon and Galway finishing 0-6 apiece in Dr Hyde Park.

Mayo host Sligo this evening in Castlebar, while the other match sees Leitrim and Roscommon meeting in Ballinamore, Galway with a bye.

SCORERS – Sligo: L Marren 1-4 (0-2f); C Flynn 1-1; E Rooney, R Sloyan, C Sheridan 0-2 each. Leitrim: D Coen 1-2; B McNulty 0-4; J Casey 0-3; P Honeyman 0-2; P Keane, J McGloin, T Plunkett 0-1 each

SLIGO: E Carden; C Johnston, T Ross, R Chambers; R O’Callaghan, D McLoughlin, R Sloyan ; C Sheridan, R Doherty; C Walsh, R Niland, J Donlon; C Flynn, M McDaniel, Eli Rooney. Subs: D Walsh for J Donlon ht; R O’Kelly Lynch for C Walsh 36; L Marren for E Rooney 41; R O’Hehir for R Chambers 54; S Rogan for M McDaniel 58

LEITRIM: B Cull; A Oberwan, R Cunningham, E McNamara ; Paddy Keane, Jack Foley, M McBrien; B McNulty, B Guckian; D Coen, P Moran, J Casey; J Tobin, P Honeyman, N McManus. Subs: T Plunkett for J Casey 45; J McGloin for P Moran 52

REF: I Monaghan (Roscommon).