Sligo’s U20 footballers completed the group stages of the Philly McGuinness with a 100% record after coming from behind to beat Leitrim on a lovely day for football in Cloonacool last Saturday.

Showing quite a number of changes from the team that had beaten Fermanagh and Longford in the previous week, Sligo were give notice from the off that they wouldn’t have it their own way when Leitrim opened the scoring with a goal.

Sligo recovered their composure however and had five points in the first 15 minutes, four from Eoghan Smith, including three frees and a score direct from a side-line ball by Luke Marren.

Leitrim took control of the second quarter however with a series of points to go into the half time break two points ahead, 1-4 to 0-5.

Sligo began that second half as they gad the first with half time substitutes Lee Deignan and James Donlon getting three points on the board in the first ten minutes.

Defensively Sligo were much tighter and more committed restricting the Leitrim attack to just two second half points. Further points from Deignan, Jack Davitt and Marren had them three points up with ten minutes to go.  Donlon then finished with a point to secure a final total of 0-12 and a three-point win.

Sligo now progress to the final of the Philly McGuinness tournament where they await the winner of a group involving Monaghan, Westmeath, Armagh and Cavan. Monaghan and Westmeath meet in Wednesday and if Monday win or draw they will be Sligo’s opponents on Saturday next. If Westmeath win they go level on points with Monaghan and ahead on scoring difference and the head to head but must then await the outcome of the rescheduled Armagh Cavan match which will be played Friday and from which, if they win, Armagh could also go level on points. In that event this final will be played in the middle of the following week.

Sligo. Kyle Davey; Luke Casserly, Conor Johnstone, Shane Molloy; Ciaran McKeon; Ciaran O’Reilly, Dylan McLoughlin; Joe Keaney, Feidhlim O’Donnell, Oisin Gorman, Eoghan Smith (0-4 3f), Jim Davis; Luke Marren (0-2 1s); Oisin Flynn, Jack Davitt (0-1),

Subs.  Lee Deignan (0-3, 2f) and James Donlon (0-2) for Smith and Davis – HT, Brian Duffy for Gorman – 43 m, Marc Heraughty for Flynn – 55 m, Jack Lavin for McKeon – 56 min.