Coolera-Strandhill retain Sligo football title with narrow win over St Molaise Gaels

BACK-TO-BACK: Coolera-Strandhill retained the Sligo SFC title with a one-point defeat of St Molaise Gaels at Markievicz Park. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Sligo SFC Final Replay: Coolera-Strandhill 0-8, St Molaise Gaels 0-7

Dogged Coolera-Strandhill retained the Sligo SFC title with a one-point defeat of St Molaise Gaels in a low-scoring replay at Markievicz Park.

One of the winners' unsung heroes, midfielder Peter Laffey, stepped up with two excellent points from play in the last 10 minutes to steer Coolera-Strandhill to victory and make them back-to-back champions for the first time.

St Molaise Gaels pressed hard for a winning goal in stoppage time but could only muster a converted '45' from their leading scorer Alan McLoughlin – his sixth point cut the gap to a single point, 0-8 to 0-7 - but the day belonged to Coolera-Strandhill.

Coolera-Strandhill, who were excellent defensively, got off the mark early on with points from two defenders, Oran Harte and Ross O'Carroll.

A wonderful save from Coolera-Strandhill goalkeeper Keelan Harte denied St Molaise Gaels full-forward Gerard Brady a certain goal after 12 minutes.

Brady did get a point four minutes later – his side's opening score – but he was the only St Molaise Gaels forward to score and, indeed, was the beaten finalists' only other scorer aside from talisman Alan McLoughlin.

Coolera-Strandhill were assured during the first-half despite never establishing a substantial lead in a fixture that mirrored the cagey drawn game of the previous Sunday.

Nevertheless, they deserved a 0-5 to 0-3 interval lead that featured a brilliant point from play by Sligo ace Niall Murphy on 30 minutes and a good score from Mark McDaniel.

St Molaise Gaels, seeking a first-ever county title in this grade, went 0-6 to 0-5 in front by the 38th minute thanks to three points from Alan McLoughlin – two converted frees as well as a sublime effort from play.

But St Molaise Gaels didn't score again until that McLoughlin point from a '45' in time added on as Coolera-Strandhill regained control with three unanswered points in the last 15 minutes of normal time, including a brace from team captain Peter Laffey, who was named Player of the Match.

Scorers for Coolera-Strandhill: N Murphy (0-3, 2f), P Laffey (0-2), M McDaniel, R O'Carroll, O Harte (0-1 each).

Scorers for St Molaise Gaels: A McLoughlin (0-6, 4f, 1 '45'), G Brady (0-1).

St Molaise Gaels: N McLoughlin, L Kennedy, L Casserly, R Ryan, P McGowan, E Farrell, J McLoughlin, J Keaney, A McLoughlin (c), K Waters, J Davitt, O Gilmartin, A Currid, G Brady, C Herron.

Subs: E McHugh for J McLoughlin (44), M Heraghty for K Waters (49), M Langan for O Gilmartin (53), J Kerins for A Currid (59).

Coolera-Strandhill: K Harte, S Murphy, S Taylor, C McDonagh, L Doherty, R O’Carroll, O Harte, K Banks, P Laffey (c), K Cawley, M McDaniel, R Doherty, L Bree, N Murphy, B O’Mahony.

Subs: A Higgins for L Bree (49), C Burke for L Doherty (49).

Referee: John Gilmartin.