'It will be a home game. That’s what we are expecting’ – Sligo turn attention to Galway semi-final

Niall Murphy finished with 0-5, including two frees, from seven shots while Leitrim sorely missed a heavy hitter at the other end. Their own potential leading shooter Keith Beirne has opted out for 2024.

Niall Murphy of Sligo.

Leitrim 0-6 Sligo 0-15 

After 15 minutes the championship mood in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada turned tetchy. Leitrim were 0-1 having dominated possession while playing into a gale. For Tony McEntee, this wasn’t part of the plan.

Pearce Dolan’s opening point could have been a goal, but Aidan Devaney reacted well to push a smashed shot over. Sligo responded impressively by rattling off nine points without reply before the turnaround while still mustering 11 first-half wides.

“When we had a heavy breeze, the (opposition) skillset under those conditions tends to be lessened,” explained McEntee post-match. “The idea was to push up and take the ball off them, then run at pace. That didn’t materialise at all.

“We ended up shooting from distance, we had no shots from within a reasonable scoring zone in the first half. Had we not got a handle on their kickouts, we would have been only three or four points up at half-time and in a difficult situation.” A hugely influential factor in that turnaround was the showing of championship debutant Canice Mulligan in midfield. The U20 star who famously announced his county as a “big dog” after their championship success last year was immense, finishing with two points. Niall Murphy kicked five, including three frees, from seven shots to inject a bit of class into an otherwise bland afternoon.

Those two only further twisted the knife in an already wounded Leitrim outfit. Their U20 star midfielder, Barry McNulty, was unavailable to play after starring against Mayo in their stunning victory midweek. Jack Foley suffered the same fate. Leading sharpshooter Keith Beirne has opted out for 2024. Conor Quinn and Mark Plunkett dropped out of the matchday squad due to injury. Any chance of a shock was cut down when that news broke to the 4,117 in attendance.

“Andy was left in a situation where he had a panel of 26 and really he only had 22 in the end,” said a sympathetic McEntee. “I don’t see the logic with that U20s (rule) at all. In Sligo, I have no access to the 20s. I don’t know if they are good or bad because I haven’t seen them.

“They are not allowed to be involved with senior football until 20s is over. While there are downsides to that clearly, it protects them and if I don’t see them, I can’t use them. I’m quite happy that is the case, it works perfectly fine for me in Sligo.” To their credit, Leitrim strived to stay in the fight, without ever truly finding the right channel. Evan Sweeney came off the bench to land a corker but in the final quarter Shane Quinn was sent off for a second bookable offence.

They will now make ready for the Tailteann Cup. Galway await Sligo in the Connacht semi-final. It remains to be seen where that fixture will be played.

Galway beat Sligo in the Connacht final last year at the neutral venue of MacHale Park. Before that, they were scheduled to face each other in the 2020 championship at Pearse Stadium. Sligo were forced to concede that tie after a Covid outbreak in the squad.

McEntee expects to be welcoming the Tribesmen to Markievicz Park in two weeks’ time.

“This Galway game may well be in Markievicz Park. It is a home venue which would make a difference, last time it was in MacHale Park. This time around it will be a home game. That is what we are expecting.

“If that is the case, I think we have improved from them. Galway have always been good and have any number to come back from injury. I don’t see them being any weaker, but I think we have improved. It is an opportunity to see have we and to test ourselves. To be fair, the idea of Sligo beating Galway is a stretch. But it is not impossible. It is a game we are certainly looking forward to.” Scorers for Leitrim: Darragh Rooney 0-2, Donal Wrynn, Pearce Dolan, Even Sweeney, Ryan O’Rourke 0-1 each.

Scorers for Sligo: Niall Murphy 0-5 (3 frees), Canice Mulligan 0-2, Darragh Cummins 0-2, Nathan Mullen 0-2, Alan McLaughlin, Mikey Gordon, Patrick O’Connor, Paul Kilcoyne 0-1 each.

Leitrim: N O’Donnell; C Reynolds, M Diffley, S Quinn; J Flynn, A Flynn, D Wyrnn; J Gilheany, P Dolan; T Prior, Ryan O’Rourke, P Keaney; Riordan O’Rourke, D Rooney, J Rooney.

Subs: E Sweeney for Prior, R Oberwan for Riordan O’Rourke (both 48), A Reynolds for Reynolds (50), K Clancy for Rooney (58), S McLoughlin for Keaney (63).

Red card: Shane Quinn (67 – second yellow) Sligo: A Devaney; E Lyons, E McGuinness, B Cox; P Kilcoyne, N Mullen, D Cummins; P O’Connor, C Mulligan; C Lally, A McLaughlin, S Carrabine; E Smith, N Murphy, D Quinn.

Subs: M Gordon for Lally (temp 18- 20), M Gordon for Quinn (half-time), M Walsh for Smith (54), L Deignan for Lally, K Cawley for McLaughlin (both 68).

Referee: K Eannetta (Tyrone).