On the road again

Cathal Mullaney

Sligo travel to Kilmallock to take on familiar rivals Limerick this Sunday afternoon (throw-in 2pm) in the opening round of the Division Three campaign with one thing on their mind – returning to the Yeats county with two points on the board.

Having beaten the Munster men twice last year in competitive action with Pat Flanagan at the helm, this time Sligo are under the tutelage of Niall Carew. The Kildare native has masterminded two wins from three games so far this year, and will be hopeful of guiding his new charges to the more attractive surrounds of Division Two.

To do just that, Sligo need to get off to a winning start. Success against Limerick this weekend would leave Sligo in a solid position and with four home games to come in the following six games, Carew would be hopeful of securing promotion for the first time since 2010.

The return of Tubbercurry’s Brian Curran adds experience to a new-look defence, and he will certainly strengthen a side that has developed well throughout the FBD Connacht League, with Eoin Flanagan and Daniel Maye amongst the newcomers to retain their place for this weekend’s tie.

Limerick received a blow recently when talented midfielder John Galvin announced his inter-county retirement, while they will also be without the services of Ian Ryan and Ger Collins this weekend.

However, regardless of the make-up of the respective squads, clashes between these two teams have been close affairs in recent times and this weekend’s episode promises to be another.

Recent meetings:

All-Ireland Senior Football Qualifier Round 3A, Markievicz Park, 12^th July 2014: Sligo 0-12 Limerick 0-10

Allianz NFL Division Three, Markievicz Park, 2^nd February 2014: Sligo 0-15 Limerick 0-13