Hat-trick for Marren as Sligo hold off Wexford

Corner-forward Adrian Marren netted an astonishing 3-5 as Sligo picked up their first league win with a six-points defeat of Wexford at Markievicz Park — although the home side almost threw away a seemingly unassailable lead in this thriller.

The visitors were 12 points down five minutes into the second period, 3-10 to 0-7, but battled back in wonderful fashion as PJ Banville’s goal plus fine points from Adrian Flynn, Paddy Byrne and Redmond Barry helped leave Jason Byrne’s charges just three points adrift (3-14 to 1-17) with three minutes of additional time left.

But a third goal from Marren ended Sligo’s nervy period and prevented a loss of an earlier advantage that saw all six starting forwards on the scoresheet.

Boosted by Marren’s converted penalty after two minutes, Sligo led 3-7 to 0-7 at the break.

Scorers for Sligo: A Marren 3-5, 1-0 pen, 1f; A Costello 1-2; M Breheny 0-3; P Hughes 0-1; J Clarke 0-1; C McGee 0-1; B Egan 0-1 Scorers for Wexford: C Lyng 0-5, 1f; A Flynn 0-3; R Barry 0-3; PJ Banville 1-0; P Byrne 0-2; S Roche 0-2, 2f; B Brosnan 0-1, 1f; C Morris 0-1.

SLIGO: P Greene, C Harrison, B Kennedy, R Donovan, J Davey, S McManus, P McGovern, E Mullen, B Egan, M Breheny, A Costello, P Hughes, C McGee, J Clarke, A Marren.

Subs: D Maye for J Clarke, (‘blood’ sub, 19); D Maye for M Breheny, (58); T Taylor for C McGee, (60); D Rooney for P McGovern, (63); Keelan Cawley for P Hughes, (68).

WEXFORD: A Masterson, B Mulligan, G Molloy, B Malone, L Chin, A Flynn, A Doyle, R Quinlivan, A Shore, R Barry, C Lyng, B Brosnan, PJ Banville, E Bradley, P Byrne.

Subs:S Roche for B Brosnan (44); C Morris for R Quinlivan (44); R Tierney for A Flynn (59); K O’Grady for PJ Banville (59); C Carty for B Mulligan (67).

Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Donegal).