Magnificent Sligo conquer the Rossies

Roscommon 3-5 Sligo 1-14

Cathal Mullaney

St Brigid’s GAA Park at Kiltoom hosted one of the most memorable Connacht Minor Championship games in recent memory – from a Sligo point of view at least – after Aidan Rooney’s side endured an emotional rollercoaster to eventually defeat Roscommon by three points, 1-14 to 3-5.

This was a wonderful display from Sligo. Full of endeavour and conviction, the away side were wholly dominant for most of the hour and showed tremendous hunger and desire throughout.

Eight points up (1-11, 1-3) with seven minutes left to play, Sligo appeared to be coasting to the comfortable victory their performance deserved, but Roscommon hit back in unbelievable fashion.

Two goals in the closing stages from Daniel Glynn and Brian Stack, along with points from Hubery Darcy and Conor Murray, sensationally put the home team back on level terms as the game entered injury-time, but Sligo showed character of the highest order to kick three late points, two of which came from substitutes, to ensure that the entire county would be set for Dr Hyde Park on July 19^th.

Up to that frantic final seven minutes, Sligo were absolutely superb. The only blemish for the team would be the large wide count, 12 in total, and seven of those came in the first half. An heroic defensive exhibition, which only allowed Roscommon one point from play, was the basis for Sligo’s win.

Seán Power – selected as Man of the Match after proceedings – caused all sorts of problems for Roscommon throughout, particularly in the opening period, and Sligo led 0-7 to 0-3 as the first half entered injury-time.

Then, drama ensued with two goals, and almost a third, in the space of 90 seconds.

First, Roscommon crashed home a three-pointer totally against the run of play after Hubert Darcy found Richard Hughes who netted from thirteen yards to put the Rossies within a point of Sligo.

However, straight from the resultant kickout Sligo goaled themselves, when Nathan Rooney’s long ball deceived Roscommon’s defence and Kyle Cawley got the final touch to restore Sligo’s four-point advantage. Then, as half-time beckoned, Brian Stack hit a wonderful shot against the post, meaning Sligo just about held a somewhat comfortable half-time advantage. (1-7, 1-3)

After the restart Sligo were totally on top, and kicked four points without reply in the opening twenty minutes through Cathal Herron, Liam Gaughan, Kyle Cawley and the outstanding Paul Kilcoyne.

Just as Sligo looked to have a vice-like grip on proceedings, Roscommon grabbed 2-2 in seven minutes to leave Sligo supporters thinking that somehow their side had contrived to lose the game, but in a huge display of character up stepped Rian Kennedy, Darragh Cummins and Cathal Herron to shoot Sligo into the Connacht Minor Final, in the most remarkable of circumstances.

Sligo: Eamonn Kilgannon; Brian Mahon, Eddie McGuinness, Mark O’Dowd; Nathan Mullen, Finnian Cawley, Sean Power (0-1); Darragh Cummins (0-2), Paul Kilcoyne (0-1); Liam Gaughan (0-2, 1f), Nathan Rooney, Sean Carrabine (0-1); Kyle Cawley (1-3), Paddy O’Connor (0-1), Michael Gordon. Subs used: Cathal Herron (0-2) for Carrabine (35), Aaron Kearns for Mahon (46, BC), Rian Kennedy (0-1) for Gaughan (52), Kevin Banks for F Cawley (62, BC)