Sligo made their debut in the Christy Ring cup in Athleague on Sunday and will be disappointed in going out but should look back on pride on all that has been achieved this year. Having had to miss out on the first round fixture v Derry due to Covid the draw went against the squad with another away fixture but they made light of that with a good start to the game. 

After 9 minutes of the throw in Sligo lead 0-3 v 0-0 with two Gerard O'Kelly Lynch frees and a Conor Hannify point from play. However Sligo hit a flat spot then and Roscommon drove back into the game hitting 7 points on the trot with 6 coming from frees and 6 coming from Cathal Dolan, with one from a long range free by Shane Curley. It did not look good for Sligo at this time and when O'Kelly Lynch drove across the keeper and wide from a goal chance it looked bad. In fairness to the team they knuckled down and got more physical whilst their ball handling improved, hitting 3 points between 23 and 27 minute, A GOKL free, and two from play from Tony O'Kelly Lynch and Andy Kilcullen. 

The sides traded 4 points coming up to the break with Mark Hannify scoring a long range free after GOKL was taken out for the first time in the game and Gerard got another free just before the break with the score standing 0-11 v 0-8 at half time and all to play for in the second half. 

At the water break in the second half it was down to a point with GOKL frees and a Conor Hannify from play being countered by Dolan frees and from play by Oisín Kelly and an excellent Conor Mulry right on the sideline. The sides were level. Another free from Gerard after a Roscommon defender received red  levelled again but unfortunately we never took the lead at this time with a great save from an Andrew Kilcullen shot proving decisive. Dolan added a point from play as did Mulry were the Roscommon physical presence proved decisive in the rucks for ball. One last long range free into the square was field by Roscommon and the game was over.

Roscommon's ability to score from play in the second half proved decisive but also as happens on days the breaks just did not fall for the Sligo lads during the game. The commitment of the team though was excellent throughout with no man taking a step back. Sligo were dependent on frees but the other side of that is and I know hurling people do not like it said but if there was a black card for stopping goal chances this half showed it as on at least two occasions Sligo were one on one for goal chances but were taken down. In fairness in the last minute Sligo did likewise but that was on a counter attack and Roscommon 2 up at the time in injury time. At the end it went to the home side who now travel to play Kildare in the semi final. 

Scorers : 

Sligo - Gerard O'Kelly Lynch 0-12 (11f), Conor Hannify 0-2, Tony O'Kelly Lynch 0-1, Andrew Kilcullen 0-1, Mark Hannify 0-1 (1f)

Roscommon - Cathal Dolan 0-13(11f), Johnny Coyne 0-2, Conor Mulry 0-2, Shane Curley 0-1(1f), Oisín Kelly, Eoghan Costello 0-1 each

Sligo - Mark Burke, Niall Kilcullen, Niall Feehily, Gavin Connolly, Finnian Cawley, Rory McHugh, Mark Hannify, Michael Munnelly, Ronan Cox, Conor Hannify, Kevin Gilmartin, Gerard O'Kelly Lynch, Tony O'Kelly Lynch, Connor Griffin, Andrew Kilcullen

Subs - Daniel Rolston for Michael Munnelly, Kieran Prior for Tony O'Kelly Lynch