Sligo survive almighty scare in New York

17 April 2022; Daniel O’Sullivan of New York in action against Keelan Cawley, left, and Paul Laffey of Sligo during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between New York and Sligo at Gaelic Park in New York, USA. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Connacht SFC quarter-final 

New York 0-15 Sligo 1-16

Sligo advanced to a Connacht SFC semi-final meeting with Roscommon after overcoming an impressive New York outfit 1-16 to 0-15 in Sunday evening’s thrilling quarter-final at Gaelic Park.

The home side, cheered on by the majority of the 4,000 strong crowd, showed little rustiness despite a two year absence from Championship football due to Covid protocols and restrictions.

Sligo started with huge intent as Paddy O’Connor was unlucky not to convert a great goal chance in the opening exchanges.

But the pressure from the visitors eventually told with Sean Carrabine finding the net after 20 minutes. That strike helped the Yeats county to lead by two points at the interval New York though were not prepared to surrender meekly.

Backboned by former Galway players Adrian Varley and Johnny Glynn along with ex Cork star Mark Ellis, Johnny McGeeney’s side never gave up on hopes of an upset.

Their resilience and efforts were rewarded with points from Varley and Medine which tied the game. Conor Griffin and Medine then traded points and Sligo knew they were in a battle.

But crucially down the stretch the greater guile and composure of Sligo came to the fore.

Sligo showed their experience of having a been through a challenging league campaign to hit four unanswered points on the bounce to close out the contest. 

New York’s Achilles heel of lacking competitive games ahead of the opening round was cruelly exposed.

Niall Murphy, who was a livewire throughout this contest, edged Sligo ahead on 69 with a sweet right footed effort on the 35.

Seconds later New York’s Madine should have equalised but his near effort crashed off the post and Sligo took full advantage on the counter which ended up with Murphy slotting over his fifth of the game to put his side two up.

A 45’ by Sligo keeper Aidan Devanney sealed the deal with  O’Connor adding a fourth for good measure after some good running by substitute Pat Spillane, who was making his championship debut for Sligo.

Scorers for Sligo: S Carrabine (1-3), N Murphy (0-5, 0-4 frees), P O’Connor (0-3), A Devaney (0-1, 45’), C Griffin (0-1), K Cawley (0-1), B Gorman (0-1), N Mullen (0-1).

Scorers for New York: A Varley (0-5, 1 free) N Madine (0-4, 0-3 free), M Brosnan (0-1), J Reilly (0-1, 0-1 frees), D Sullivan (0-2), P Fox (0-1), P Boyle (0-1).

NEW YORK: M Cunningham (Down); Jamie Boyle (Capt), A Campbell (Tipperary), C Keane (Sligo); S Reilly, P Boyle (Down), D O’Sullivan (Kildare); J Glynn (Galway), M Ellis (Cork), Jack Reilly (Mayo) A. Varley (Galway), T Mathers; N Madine (Down), P Fox (Tyrone), M Brosnan.

Subs: C Butler (London) for Jack Reilly ht, C Ahearne for T Mathers (49), S Brosnan for M Brosnan (57), J Davis for D O’Sullivan (68).

SLIGO: A Devanney; D Phillips, E Lyons, P McNamara; N Mullen, D Cummins, Paul Kilcoyne (capt); S Carrabine, P Laffey; K Cawley, P O’Connor, M Cordon; N Murphy, B Gorman, A Reilly.

Subs: D Quinn for M Gordan (25), C Griffin for Peter Laffey (ht), P Spillane for A Reilly (57), C Marren for S Carrabine (64).

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).