Sligo chief Walsh gunning for junior glory

SLIGO boss Kevin Walsh, who committed to the Yeats County for another two years earlier this week, is hoping to lead them to an historic second All-Ireland title when they take on Kerry in the JFC final on Saturday.

Walsh and his senior selectors Dessie Sloyan, Paul Taylor and Paul Durcan are also in charge of the county’s junior side and having won their eighth Connacht title in the grade this summer, they are now poised to end the year with a possible All-Ireland title.

Sligo’s only All-Ireland title in football was a junior crown won in 1935 when they beat London by 5-3 to 0-3 and since then they have featured in just one All-Ireland final, a minor loss by a point to Cork in 1968 when they were pipped by 3-5 to 1-10.

Sligo will bid on Saturday at Pearse Stadium in Galway to double their All-Ireland tally but in order to do so they will have to overcome the aristocrats of Gaelic football who have amassed 71 All-Ireland titles in all grades.

Indeed, Kerry have won 14 junior titles (the last in 2006) to go alongside their 36 senior crowns, 11 minor and 10 U-21 successes.

“It really shows what we are up against.

“It’s an All-Ireland final and Kerry will want to win it every bit as much as us,” said manager Walsh.

“It won’t matter to Kerry what they have won already, they will be as fired up for this one every bit as much as they would for any other final.

“But this is a huge opportunity for Sligo.

“The county hasn’t been in an All-Ireland final in 42 years and have not won one in 75 years. It will be a big day for Sligo and it would be a great way to finish a good year,” added Walsh.

Walsh brought in the junior squad to train with the seniors throughout the year and Sligo chairman John Murphy said that it was a move which has worked extremely well.”