In this history making final with Tourlestrane going for five in a row and Drumcliffe playing in their first final you would expect nerves and hope for a close game. After 25 minutes it was obvious that Drumcliffe were playing with a lot of nervousness but Tourlestrane were not putting the game out of sight. The second half along with the last 5 minutes of the first half was tense exciting football and the result was not known until referee Gus Chapman blew the final whistle. 

Drumcliffe won the throw in and won a free out on the sideline on the 45m line. James Leonard collected an early yellow for his tackle. Despite the distance it was put over with aplomb by Paul Logan who put in a super hours plus performance from placed balls and play. It would be 25 minutes before they scored again and in that time Tourlestrane had moved into a 6 v 1 lead which should have been larger. Drumcliffe did not help their nerves going with a short kick out strategy whilst Tourlestrane pushed up feverishly on this. This strategy was changed at the water break and was a big help in changing the course of this game. 

In that 25 minutes the south Sligo lads whilst scoring some good points from play especially Johnny Kelly with two, Pat Harte and Conan Marren were also kicking a good number of chances wide. Pat Harte was in control around the middle and his driving runs were causing havoc. It was no surprise that he was awarded the player of the match later in the evening.  

Going into the last 5 minutes of the half most in the crowd were fearful for Drumcliffe/Rosses Point but they showed great character in turning the game back into the contest scoring 3 of the last 4 scores of the half, all from Logan including one from play to leave the score at 0-7 v 0-4. 

The second half was a contrast to the first half with it being a lot less defensive, more direct attacking and lots of midfield tussles for the kickouts.  After Liam Gaughan scored an early free, Kieran Lynam and Brian Monaghan brought it down to two points with good scores from play. Gaughan came back immediately this time from play. Logan replied likewise.

Attacking half backs got in on the scoring act with a good Sean Power point for Drumcliffe followed by James Leonard and Oisín Kennedy putting over for Tourlestrane. Another Logan free this time with his less favoured left foot had the teams separated by two and all to play for. 

Each time Tourlestrane extended the lead Drumcliffe came right back. Gaughan from play and Power again also from play had kept the score at two points. In the 24th minute Liam Guaghan won a penalty and Harte dispatched it to the top right corner of the net with Paul Durcan going in the opposite direction. To all neutrals and probably most of Tourlestrane they figured the seasiders resistance was not at an end. 

To their credit this was not the case and when Power again went for a point it dropped short between Mark Waldron, Adam Broe and another Tourlestrane defender. Somehow Waldron managed to stay standing  and punch to the net his own break sustaining an facial injury in the process. Logan again narrowed the lead this time to one in the 29th minute but Tourlestrane who had to eke out tough wins in their last two games against Calry and St.Marys showed the benefit from them games with Liam Gaughan scoring  the two final points in the game in additional time.

Drumcliffe went on the attack and won two 45's with one of these causing pandemonium in the Torulestrane box and a Cian Lally toe poke being pushed out for a 45. When Tourlestrane finally cleared their lines the final whistle was blown and for the first time in Sligo senior football history we had five in a row winners. To great acclaim, James Leonard and Johnny Kelly lifted up the Owen B Hunt cup.

Scorers

Tourlestrane - Liam Gaughan 0-6 (3f), Pat Harte 1-2 (1p), Johnny Kelly 0-2, Kenny Gavaghan, Conan Marren, James Leonard and Oisín Kennedy 0-1 each.

Drumcliffe/Rosses Point - Paul Logan 0-7 (5f, 1x45), Seán Waldron 1-0, Seán Power 0-2, Kieran Lynan, Brian Monaghan 0-1 each.