Friends of Sligo Football
Hard luck to our gallant Senior footballers, who were seconds away from qualification for the
Connaught final in Pearse Park last Sunday. Those of us, who changed holiday arrangements to be
there felt it was well worth it as the final whistle was coming closer and Galway fans were leaving
the park. But fate dealt us a cruel hand in those closing minutes. We started out hesitantly but
after 10 minutes our midfield got on top our defenders were pushing forward at every opportunity
and David Kelly was living up to, his name as one of the best forwards in the country but we
wondered had we enough on the score board with that strong breeze when David scored a brilliant
goal, Eamonn O’Hara caught their kick out, we won a free and omens looked good. Alas with
the elements in Galway’s favour in the second half we were really tested but we withstood the
pressure and David Kelly scored what many of us thought would be the winning point but no and
it is back to Sligo for a replay sadly some of us must miss. Best of luck in the replay. We have the
players and yes we still can do it. Believe Believe.
Hard luck to the minors, who having played against the elements in the first half left a lot of work
to do but thanks to some amazing scores from Brian Egan they pulled back well in the second half
before time ran out.
Friends of Sligo Football wish to express our sympathy to all Roscommon Gaels and to the family of
Dermot Earley, who died at a relatively young age last week. Dermot was a brilliant footballer and a
model sportsman, who won five Connacht Senior medals, two All Star Awards, one National League
medal, one U21 All Ireland medal, two Railway Cup Medals and an All Ireland runners up medal
(1980), which should have been a winner’s medal but for a very harsh referee’s decision , which
ruled out a goal for over carrying. 4 years ago on holidays in Portugal I spent some nights in the
company of his playing colleague Tony McManus, who said he never played with anyone like him or
who deliver in a pass like Dermot from midfield. Interestingly Tony compared him to our own Paul
Taylor in terms of vision on the ball.
In 1966 Dermot represented Roscommon at Minor, U21, Junior and Senior teams in one season .At
College level he represented St Nathys at Juvenile Junior and senior level in the same year. A feat
also achieved by the great late Johnny Stenson for Benada Abbey. So over the past year Connaught
Football lost 2 of its greatest mid fielders (Dermot and Johnny) at relatively young ages.