Connacht FBD League

Round 1

Galway 0-13

Sligo      0-10

At Quigabar

A Late rally from Kevin Walsh’s Galway side ensured they got the better of Sligo on Sunday afternoon in Quigabar as Sligo finished the quarter of the game with 14 men when Eoin McHugh picked up second yellow card which put Sligo under pressure for the remainder of the match.

Sligo had the wind in the opening half and started well as longest serving Inter County Player Mark Breheny opened Sligo’s account with a free. Sligo had three debutants in their side with Patrick O’Connor, Luke Nicholson and John Kelly all making their first starts in the Sligo jersey.

Patrick O’Connor was one player to impress as he helped his side go into 4-1 lead as he kicked fine point from distance as Sligo took control of the match. Galway had number of new players on show and one of which Barry McHugh brought them back into the match with  free and this was followed by point from wing back Sean Kelly to reduce the margin to single point. There was some excitement during the opening quarter when Liam Devaney had to take over as referee as Roscommon’s Paul Daly injured himself after ten minutes of the opening half.

Brace from Adrian Marren ensured Sligo went in at the break in front as they lead 6-4 after Barry McHugh had added his third point of the match.

Just like the first half Sligo started well and added two further points one from Breheny and other fine point from Marren as Sligo went in front by four points. Fiontan O Curraoin on his return to the Galway team started the comeback and point from Johnny Duane who was captain of New York last season brought Tribesmen back into the match and they given a big advantage for the remainder of the second half when McHugh picked up second yellow card. Sligo went two in once again as O’Connor got score from out on the right hand side of the pitch as looked like Sligo might hold on for the win. David Wynne came on as substitute to reduce the margin but his score was cancelled out by point from Breheny to ensure Sligo still had the two point margin but final ten minutes Galway took control as they scored five points on the spin Thomas Flynn firstly followed up McHugh point to leave sides level and three further points one of which came from Eddie Hoare meant Galway got off to winning start.

Sligo: Aidan Devaney, Eoin McHugh, Luke Nicholson, Noel Gaughan, Keelan Cawley, Neil Ewing, James Hynes, Ross Donovan, Adrian McIntyre, John Kelly, Mark Breheny (0-3, 3fs), Criostoir Davey, Patrick O Connor (0-3),Adrian Marren(0-3) Kyle Cawley (0-1). Subs: Fintan Ruddy for Devaney, Darragh Cummins for James  Hynes, Stephen Gilmartin for John Kelly, Sean Power for Criostoir Davey.

Galway: Rory Lavelle, Luke Burke, D Walsh, Johnny Duane, Paul Varley, Gareth Bradshaw,Sean Kelly (0-1),Michael Day, Fiontan O Curraoin (0-1), Johnny Heaney, Thomas Flynn(0-1),Peter Cooke, Paul Mannion, Barry McHugh (0-7,4fs) Sean Armstrong. Subs: David Wynne (0-2) for Michael Day, Eddie Hoare (0-1) for Paul Mannion.

Referee: Liam Devaney, Mayo