Sligo notes 08.04.2013

Sligo’s U14 County Team were on the field this week in the first round of the Championship.  The opponents were Leitrim and the game was played in IT Sligo.  The evening was relatively calm the sun being the only hindrance to the players.  As both teams lined out for the throw in they each looked a strong physical side and a promising game was expected.  Sligo dominated from the beginning but their efforts were wasted as they kicked 7 wides in the first 7 minutes.  The forwards failed to compose themselves until finally they got their first point from mid-field player Cliona McGowan this settled the girls and Aimie Cawley clawed back some of the lost scores with a goal.  Leitrim hit back with a point but that was the last score they were going to get in the first half thanks to the hard work of number 6 Lisa McGrath and her team of defenders.  Lisa was the most dominant in the back line and cleared 9 out of 10 balls that came her way.  Sligo found their form and full forward Aimie Cawley used her height to her advantage and caught some vital balls in the air and found the back of the net on more that one occasion. The first half saw a substitute due to the injured Leah Gannon making way for Attracta Halloran. All the forwards had achieved a score in the first half to ensure Sligo were well on the way to victory at half time with a score of 5.6 (Sligo) to 0.1 (Leitrim).  Sligo returned with the same team and opened the second half as they finished the first with an immediate goal.  As the Sligo management made changes to the team and brought on their maximum 5 subs Leitrim managed to snatch a further 2 goals. This did not change the result as Sligo continued to make their mark on the game and emerged deserving winners with a score line of 10.7 to 2.3.  Sligo U14’s now go forward to play Roscommon away on Saturday 13^th April.  Time is 6pm and venue is to be confirmed.

The Minor County Team managed by Tommy Gilroy and Emmett Healy have played two rounds of the Minor Championship on Monday last they played away to Leitrim and secured a first round victory in a tightly contested game.  Sligo trailed marginally for most for the game but never lost heart displayed some serious skill and fought hard to come back and win the game 4.8 to 3.9.  The second round was on Saturday last the 6th April against a strong and experienced Mayo team.  It was a very different game from Leitrim as Sligo failed to get the upper hand at any stage and the players got frustrated and lost concentration. Unfortunately it was not a successful result with Sligo being defeated 5.17 to 2.4.    They have a bye in the next round and play Galway on the 20th April (time and Venue to be confirmed).

Sligo intermediate team were up against Tipperary in the last round of the group stages of the NFL.  There was a breeze which favoured Tipperary in the first half and as the whistle blew and play commenced they looked the most promising.  The southern team was first to score from a free while Sligo had a good deal of possession it took them 11 minutes to get a point listed on the score board.  Sligo’s 1^st score came from a free taken by Aine Gormley.  Tipperary took their scores well and made advances for goal while Sligo held possession but were stopped in their tracks on numerous occasions by a very fast and tight Tipp defense.   Sligo girls were closed in at all times all over the field which made it difficult for them to control a series of accurate passes and shots on target.  Tipperary broke away and took some vital points and after 20 minutes of play secured a lucky goal.  This put Sligo on the back foot and the heads were down as the first half ended 1.8 to 0.3 in Tipperary’s favour.  Sligo’s management made 3 changes at half time the half forward line were all replaced with Denise McGrath, Elise Codd, & Claie Colleran.  It took Sligo a while to settle and even though they had the breeze they did not compose their shots and allowed Tipperary to break away with a series of points to widen the gap further beyond Sligo’s reach.  Sligo made 2 further substitutions with Louise Brett and Rachael Monaghan.  Slowly Sligo found form and pieced together some points thanks to the sub Louise Brett and Elaine O’Reilly but this was not enough to narrow the gap lost in the first half. The game ended in a victory to Tipperary 1.17 to Sligo’s 0.10.  This put a fateful end to the National Football League fight for Sligo.

League games are under way with fixtures being circulated to all clubs, if you haven’t received them make contact with your club secretary or county delegates.  We wish all clubs a very successful league season.  For any queries on fixtures or game times and venues please contact Tom Keane (Fixtures committee) on 087 6325108.  As games are commencing all clubs are asked to ensure all players are registered with the association as soon as possible and that new players are dealt with immediately.  It is important to note that players are not covered under the injury fund if they are not registered.

Congratulations to St. Attracts Senior football team, Tubbercurry who won the All Ireland B Post Primary Schools Football Competition.  They were deserving winners over St. Marys of Templemore on Saturday last.