Gaelic Games

Sligo survive New York scare to reach Connacht semi-finals

American side denied first ever championship win by Nathan Mullen inspired recovery

Nathan Mullen (right) led the way for Sligo with five points. Photograph: Andy Marlin/Inpho

Sun Apr 17 2022 - 22:08

Sligo 1-16 New York 0-15

New York were dennied there first ever championship win as late finish flourish from Sligo ensured they booked a place in the Connacht Semi Final. The key score came on 19 minutes when Sean Carrabine got the only goal of the match.

New York started very well and they opened the scoring after just 20 seconds of play through Daniel O’Sullivan. During the opening the quarter Sligo struggled to settle but a point from Nathan Mullen on 13 minutes seemed to calm the team as they drew level for the first time in the match.

After the concession of the goal, the New York response was excellent, scoring two points on the spin both coming from Galway native Adrian Varley. Sligo looked to be in control of proceedings once again when Niall Murphy got his first of the day but two late injury-time points had the home side back within a point.

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In the second half it was New York who will feel this was came they left behind them but Sligo added to their lead with a free after the restart from Sean Carrabine.

The impressive Varley added two more points as Sligo once again led by only a single point with 13 minutesleft as the tension was building around Gaelic Park. When Niall Madine landed a point for his side to level the scores up, it was looking like the shock result of this year’s championship was on the cards.

Tony McEntee’s Sligo side showed a lot of character in the final five minutes to ensure they didn’t get caught by New York. A free from Murphy settled his team’s nerves but a free from Madine levelled the sides once again as extra-time looked a real possibility.

Murphy restored the lead with another free for Sligo but New York were still continuing to press Sligo hard. The visitors finished strong to ensure they booked a place in this year’s Connacht semi-final against Roscommon.

Sligo: A Devaney (0-1, free); D Philips, E Lyons, P McNamara; N Mullen (0-1), D Cummins, P Kilcoyne; S Carrabine (1-3, two frees), P Laffey; K Cawley (0-1), P O'Connor (0-3), M Gordon; A Reilly, B Gorman (0-1), N Murphy (0-5, three frees).

Subs: D Quinn for B Gorman (35 mins), C Griffin (0-1) for P Laffey (h-t), P Spillane for A Reilly (57 mins).

New York: M Cunningham; J Boyle, A Campbell, C Keane; S Reilly, P Boyle, D O'Sullivan (0-2); J Glynn, M Ellis; J Reilly (0-1, one free), A Varley (0-6, two frees, one mark), T Mathers; N Madine (0-4, two frees), P Fox (0-1), M Brosnan (0-1).

Subs: K Bulter for J Reilly (h-t), S Brosnan for M Brosnan (57 mins), J Davis for D O'Sullivan (67 mins).

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)

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