Murphy inspires Coolera-Strandhill to first Sligo crown in 18 years

First-time finalists St Molaise Gaels prove a stern test before Coolera-Strandhill find higher gear after break to claim third title in their history 

FIVE STAR: Niall Murphy hit four points from play and one free for victors Coolera-Strandhill. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Sligo SFC Final: Coolera-Strandhill 0-11 St Molaise Gaels 0-8 

Niall Murphy scored five points for Coolera-Strandhill as they reclaimed the Sligo SFC title for the first time since 2005 after a close encounter with first-time finalists St Molaise Gaels at Markievicz Park.

Murphy was on song throughout, finishing as the game's top scorer with four from play and a free tacked on for good measure. But he was far from alone with Mark McDaniel also shining and being named Player of the Match. But Coolera-Strandhill had to dig deep in the second-half as they recovered from being 0-5 to 0-2 down at the break.

They didn’t take the lead until the 47th minute and later needed three points without reply to go 0-10 to 0-7 ahead in the closing stages.

With Alan McLouglin leading their scoring, St Molaise Gaels were superb in the first-half and five unanswered points gave them a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage by the 14th minute.

However with Murphy and McDaniel to the fore, and Mark McDaniel contributing two points, Coolera-Strandhill powered on after the break to claim just the third Owen B Hunt Cup in their history. 

Scorers for Coolera-Strandhill: Niall Murphy (0-5, 1f); Ross Doherty (0-2); Mark McDaniel (0-2); Keelan Cawley (0-1); Barry O’Mahony (0-1) 

Scorers for St Molaise Gaels: Alan McLoughlin (0-3, 2f); Luke Towey (0-1); Aaron Currid (0-1); Gerard Brady (0-1); Keelan Watters (0-1); Michael Langan (0-1).

Coolera-Strandhill: K Harte, J Cassidy, S Taylor, L Bree, K Cawley, R O’Carroll, S Murphy, K Banks, P Laffey (c), R Doherty, A O’Boyle, M McDaniel, L Doherty, N Murphy, B O’Mahony. Subs: D Flynn for A O’Boyle, 12; A Higgins for L Doherty, 36; E Comerford for K Banks, 36; C Burke for D Flynn, 52; K Banks for E Comerford, 59 

St Molaise Gaels: N McLoughlin, L Kennedy, L Casserly, M Heraghty, J McLoughlin, E Farrell, L Towey J Keaney, A McLoughlin (c), A Currid, G Brady, K Watters, M Langan, E McHugh, J Davitt. Subs: C Herron for E McHugh, 42; R Ryan for E Farrell, 49; D Carroll for K Watters, 54 

Referee: B Judge (Sligo)