Super Sligo blitz Louth early on in Allianz NFL

Sligo 2-26, Louth 2-9 Sligo kick-started their faltering Division 3 campaign with a sparkling defeat of Louth at Markievicz Park, their first win in four league outings.

Niall Carew’s charges were simply marvellous during the opening period and they led 2-16 to 1-4 at the break with Criostoir Davey and the excellent David Kelly getting their first-half goals.

Kelly (1-5), Mark Breheny (0-8) and Adrian Marren (0-7) were the winners’ top scorers as a young midfield of Cian Breheny and Niall Murphy provided the ammunition.

Overwhelmed Louth, who finished with 14 players after second-half goalscorer Conor Grimes was sent off in the last minute after collecting a second booking, had a useful substitute in Derek Crilly, who notched 1-2.

Scorers for Sligo: Mark Breheny 0-8 (0-5f), David Kelly 1-5, Adrian Marren 0-7 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘45’), Pat Hughes 0-3, Niall Murphy 0-2, Neil Ewing 0-1.

Scorers for Louth: Derek Crilly 1-2, Declan Byrne 0-2, Colm Judge 0-2f), Ryan Burns 0-2f, John Connolly 0-1.

SLIGO: A Devaney, D Maye, K McDonnell, R Donovan, K Cawley, E Flanagan, B Egan, N Murphy, C Breheny, N Ewing, M Breheny, C Davey, D Kelly, P Hughes, A Marren

Subs used: S Coen for A Marren, 45; C Harrison for K Cawley, 48; S Gilmartin for D Kelly, 54; L Bree for B Egan, 54; J Martyn for D Maye, 60; C Henry for C Davey, 60

LOUTH: N Gallagher, K Toner, P Reilly, P Rath, A Williams, G Hoey, D O’Hanlon, B Duffy, D Byrne, A Reid, C Judge, R Moore, R Burns, C Grimes, D Maguire

Subs used: D Crilly for G Hoey, 13; T Durnin for B Duffy, 19; J Stewart for P Reilly, 25; P Kirwin for D Maguire, 36; S O’Hanlon for R Moore, 44; J Connolly for D O’Hanlon, 48

Referee: L Devenney (Mayo)