Tailteann Cup: Goals key as Sligo see off London

The Connacht booked their place in the quarter-finals with a victory at Ruislip. 

LEADER: Sligo's Canice Mulligan raised a green flag. Pic: Evan Logan, Inpho

Sligo 2-16 London 0-16 

Goals from Gavin Gorman and Canice Mulligan propelled Sligo into the quarter-finals of this year’s competition, as they overcame London on their home turf.

London enjoyed the benefit of a strong breeze during the opening half but will be disappointed not to have made greater use of the conditions, registering eight wides before the interval.

The hosts opened the scoring after five minutes when Shay Rafter finished off a move that involved Sligo native Jim Davis.

Sligo responded quickly through an Alan McLoughlin free before both sides exchanged scores to remain level after 11 minutes, with Daniel Clarke and Lee Deignan finding the target for their respective teams.

London capitalised on the favourable conditions to move two points clear on 16 minutes, with impressive displays from Ciaran Diver and Shay Rafter helping the hosts establish a 4-2 advantage.

Niall Murphy, making his 150th appearance for Sligo, brought his side back on level terms in the 26th minute.

The Yeats County then began to take control of proceedings, adding three unanswered points through a Murphy brace and a score from Shane Deignan to lead 0-7 to 0-4 after 34 minutes.

London kept themselves in contention before the break, however, with Liam Gallagher and Rafter both on target to leave just a point between the sides at half-time, 0-7 to 0-6.

Joe McGill’s point three minutes into the second half tied the contest for the third time.

The decisive moment arrived shortly afterwards when Sligo struck for their first goal on 42 minutes. Gavin Gorman applied the finishing touch after excellent work from Cian Lally and Canice Mulligan.

That goal eased the pressure on the visitors, who quickly extended their lead through a two-pointer from Lee Deignan and another score from Murphy to move five points clear by the 46th minute.

Sligo effectively sealed victory with a second goal when Canice Mulligan found the net after Luke Towey’s effort was cleverly redirected into the goal.

Despite spirited efforts from Rafter, McGill and Diver, London were unable to mount a comeback. Sligo controlled the closing stages and comfortably saw out the game to secure their place in the last eight.

Scorers for Sligo: L Deignan (0-5,1tp); N Murphy (0-4,3fs), A McLoughlin (0-3,1tp); C Mulligan (1-1); G Gorman (1-0); C Walsh (0-1), S Deignan (0-1), P Spillane (0-1) 

Scorers for London: S Rafter (0-6); J McGill (0-4,1f); C Diver (0-2), L Gallagher (0-2), D Clarke (0–1); C O’Donohue (0-1) 

Sligo: A Devaney; L Casserly, E McGuinees , T Ross; J Lavin, C Mulligan, L Towey; G Gorman, D Cummins; C Sheridan , A McLoughlin, L Deignan; C Lally, N Murphy, S Deignan.

Subs used N Mullen for L Towey (49); P Spillane for C Lally (53); M McDaniel for D Cummins (62); C Walsh for C Mulligan (67); M Lavin for S Deignan (69) 

London: A Walsh; D Rooney, C O’Donohue, S O’Donoghue; F Crowley, C Gallagher, C Goggin; T Barry, L Gallagher; D Clarke, S Rafter, C Diver; M O’Reilly, J McGill, J Davis Subs: L Murphy for F Crowley (49); H Walsh for J Davis (49), C McKeon for D Clarke (54); N McElwaine for C Goggin (59); N Feeney for C Gallagher (67) 

Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Laois)