Allianz NHL Division 3B

Sligo 2-14

Fermanagh 1-16

Substitute Ruairi Brennan settled a tight contest at Kent Park with an injury-time point, as Sligo got off to a winning start against the Erne men.

Brennan struck the decisive score seconds after Fermanagh thought they had earned a draw with a brilliant goal from Declan McGarry.

Sligo seemed to have had done enough prior to that, with a goal from Joe Starr and points from debutant Kevin O’Kennedy, Tony O’Kelly-Lynch and Brennan edging them four clear late on.

But midfielder Rian Ó Buaigh kept the visitors in touch with a personal tally of eight points, and McGarry’s strike ensured a dramatic finish.

The hosts led by a point at the break, 1-4 to 0-6, with Gary Cadden’s goal separating the sides - his effort deceiving goalkeeper Mark Curry, who was under pressure from O’Kennedy.

Keith Raymond, captain Eoin Comerford and O’Kelly-Lynch were all on the mark in the opening period for the Yeats men, though Comerford was off-target from a penalty awarded after Brian Shannon was fouled.

John Duffy hit two points for Fermanagh, with Barry McPhilips, Caolan Duffy and Ó Buaigh also pointing from play.

The Ulster county started the second half well, but Starr’s goal put Sligo back on course.

SLIGO: Kevan Brennan; Tommy Kelly, James Weir, Cathal Jordan; Mark Comerford, Liam Reidy, Kevin Banks; Keith Raymond (0-1), Gary Cadden (1-1); Eoin Comerford (Captain 0-1), Kevin O’Kennedy (0-2), Brian Shannon; Tony O’Kelly-Lynch (0-2), David Collery, Joe Starr (1-2).

Subs: Kieran Prior (0-1) for Kelly (ht), Ruairi Brennan (0-4) for E Comerford (ht), Tom Brennan for Jordan (48), Niall McDermott for Collery (52), Luke Comerford, Donall Hanley, Tommy O’Callaghan, Danny Keown, Tom Armstrong, Niall Campbell, Shane Brenan.