FOSF 7th March 2010


Friends of Sligo Football

Sligo suffered their second defeat of the League when going down away to Wexford last Sunday. This was probably one of the worst displays from Sligo for sometime. After 3 minutes Ross Donovan made a very promising move and sent a great pass across the filed to a Sligo forward, who hesitated in gathering it allowing a Wexford Defender to intercept sweep forward culminating in a penalty (the third penalty Sligo have conceded in 3 matches) and Sligo were in arrears from then until the end of the match conceding 2 more goals despite the valiant efforts of some Sligo defenders as most of our problems were in the forward line and many wondered at the delay in making switches in the that Department. Despite the defeat players like Charlie Harrison, Johnny Davey, Ross Donovan and Stephen Gilmartin can feel happy with their contributions. We wish a speedy recovery to Eamonn Mullen and Charlie Harrison, who were injured during the game and hope to see a return to winning ways at home next Sunday.

Congratulations to Sligo star, David Kelly, who was a vital member of the DCU team, which won the Sigerson cup recently. David played a key role in this success particularly in the semi final when he gave a 5 star performance. He succeeds other Sligo greats like Hugh McGonigle, who captained UCG to victory in the 50s , Paddy Henry and Donal Brennan with Maynooth , Martin McCarrick, UCG, Mark Brehony Sligo IT and Noel Maguire UCD.

Congratulations to Summerhill College and St Attractas, who have qualified for the Connaught Colleges finals of their respective competitions. Both teams did it the hard way having gone to extra time. Summerhill seemed to be in trouble 4 points down with only 2 minutes left but once again they found their goal touch and over ran their opponents in extra time. St Attractas also defeated Rice College a few years ago on their way to All Ireland glory. It is not often 2 Sligo colleges defeat Mayo opposition in the penultimate stages of a competition in the same week and we wish both teams the best of luck in a very attractive double header in Charlestown next weekend, when hopefully a big crowd will be there to cheer them on.

There was mixed luck for St Attractas ladies as the footballers lost out to Tuam but the Basketballers qualified for an All Ireland final following a comprehensive win over Wexford opposition and we wish them best of luck as St Attractas seek an All Ireland victory. It should be borne in mind that many of these girls are involved in both teams so it is a supreme effort.

Congratulations to John Hughes on his nomination for a GAA Presidents award. Few people in Sligo have made such a contribution to the GAA at youth level in particular and the community in general and I am sure it is no coincidence that Geevagh has been in the ascendancy in recent years in ladies and gents football.

We extend sympathy to the family of Liam Lipsett, Coolaney, who died recently. He was father of Robert Lipsett corner back on Connaught minor champions in 1968 and Connaught Senior champions in 1975. The Lipsett family have a strong tradition in GAA and both Robert and his sister Rita have been supporters of Friends of Sligo football in Dublin over the years.

The Sligo Association are having a race night in Dublin on 16th March in aid of the Morrisson Teach Ceoil in Riverstown and I am sure they would appreciate all support.

We extend good wishes to Fergus Brennan, who has been hospitalised recently.

Best of luck to Sligo GAA on the launch of 125 years of Sligo GAA later this month I am sure it will be a much sought publication.



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