Naomh Eoin stun champions Easkey to claim second Sligo title 

Naomh Eoin produced a superb performance to dethrone reigning champions Easkey and secure their second Sligo Senior Hurling Championship title in a dramatic final at Markievicz Park. Pic: Eakin Howard/Sportsfile.

Sligo Senior Hurling Championship Final: Naomh Eoin 0-17 Easkey 1-13 

Naomh Eoin produced a superb performance to dethrone reigning champions Easkey and secure their second Sligo Senior Hurling Championship title in a dramatic final at Markievicz Park.

The victory marks the Sligo Town side’s first county triumph since 2019, with captain Paul O’Leary and the outstanding Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch leading the charge in a contest that delivered a thrilling finish.

Naomh Eoin made the perfect start, with O’Leary opening the scoring inside 20 seconds. Easkey responded in emphatic fashion as Patrick Walsh found the net, but the champions struggled to settle in the opening exchanges.

Naomh Eoin seized the initiative, with two O’Kelly-Lynch frees helping them into a 0-4 to 1-1 lead after eight minutes.

The Townies grew in confidence as the half progressed, with O’Kelly-Lynch landing a superb three-point salvo to put them firmly in control. Andrew Kilcullen, fresh from being named Nicky Rackard Cup Player of the Year, kept Easkey within striking distance, but further scores from O’Kelly-Lynch and O’Leary saw Naomh Eoin take a commanding 0-13 to 1-6 lead into the break.

Easkey found themselves facing an uphill battle when they trailed 0-16 to 1-8 with just 12 minutes remaining. 

However, the defending champions refused to surrender their crown without a fight. Kilcullen and Finnian Cawley inspired a remarkable late revival, with Easkey drawing level in the 62nd minute to set up a nerve-shredding finale.

With extra time threatening, the decisive moment arrived in the 64th minute. Under immense pressure, O’Kelly-Lynch kept his composure to fire over the winning free, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Naomh Eoin players and supporters.

Scorers for Naomh Eoin: G O’Kelly-Lynch (0-10, 9fs, 1 '65); P O’Leary (0-4); D Fidgeon (0-2); T O’Kelly-Lynch (0-1).

Scorers for Easkey: A Kilcullen (0-8,7fs); P Walsh (1-1); F Cawley (0-1); C Vereker (0-1); T Cawley (0-1); F Connolly (0-1).

NAOMH EOIN: M Davey; T Davis, N Feehily, D Keaveny; D Cawley, P O’Brien, D Fidgeon; G O’Kelly-Lynch, L O’Kelly-Lynch; P O’Leary, T O’Kelly-Lynch, D O’Brien; R O’Conallain, F O’Kelly-Lynch, T O’Brien.

Subs: A Wall for T O’Brien (56).

EASKEY: A Rolston; S Molloy, J Weir, G Connolly; B Feeney, F Cawley, D Hanley; R Molloy, M Gordon; C Vereker, J McHugh, T Cawley; P Walsh, A Kilcullen, F Connolly.

Subs: N Kilcullen for Feeney (39); M McDonagh for Vereker (42); G Connolly for D Walsh (42); E Moylan for P Walsh (55).

Referee: Michael Larkin.