Sligo 4-13 Offaly 1-14

Martin Feeney's U17 side got their Celtic Challenge campaign back on track following this terrific win over Offaly on Saturday last. 

Having been bitterly disappointed with defeat by Antrim in the opening round, the team played with renewed confidence and vigour to overcome another side from one of the traditional hurling counties.

The Yeats County was gifted a dream start when Easkey's Michael Mc Donagh  struck the net in the opening minute which was quickly  followed by a point from a Patrick Walsh free.

This initial lead was overturned by Offaly who scored four unanswered points, one from play and three from their freetaker Sean Carey.

A Patrick Walsh free followed by a good point from play by Luke Tuffy put Sligo back on track but Offaly maintained their pressure and responded with a point from corner forward Noel Standish. 

Sligo then had goalkeeper Brian Woods to thank for denying the Midlanders a goal with a fine save that lead to a 65' duly converted by Sean Carey. 

The goal instead came for Sligo, their second, finished by Luke Tuffy after good work by Michael Mc Donagh to give his side a two point advantage.

Offaly levelled matters with two consecutive points before Walsh converted a free after Michael Costigan and Thomas Sheridan had worked well in the half forward line. A point Offaly's Stan Cull had the last word of an entertaining first half with his side’s tenth point to bring the sides 0-10 to Sligo’s 2-4.

Sligo introduced Rory Connellan and Adam Roberts for Thomas Sheridan and Fiachra Haughey as they began the second half with the aid of the breeze.

Offaly however opened the scoring with a pointed Sean Carey free. Sligo’s Walsh responded with  two frees as the men in black began to make their dominance count on the scoreboard,.

Easkey’s Cormac Vereker pointed from play before his clubmate Michael Mc Donagh added his second goal, and his side’s third, to give Sligo a 3-7 to 0-11 lead .

While Offaly had a brief burst of dominance in the middle of the half when they outscored Sligo by 3 points to 1, Sligo finished the half strongly and were dominant all over the field.  They added three unanswered points including one from Rory Connellan off a very difficult angle. Patrick Walsh added a fourth goal from the penalty spot after a foul on Shane Mc Donagh and then added a point from play to conclude with a tally for the day to 1-7. 

Offaly to their credit battled to the end and were rewarded with a consolation goal in added time.

Sligo: Brian Woods (Easkey), Thomas Hargadon (Naomh Eoin), Jack Mc Daniel (Coolera/ Strandhill), Oisín Moylan (Easkey), Michael Costigan (Calry/ St.Joseph's), Neil Kelly (Western Gaels), Ryan O'Donnell (Western Gaels),Fiachra Haughey (Tourlestrane), James Lynch (Coolera/ Strandhill),Patrick Walsh (Easkey)(1pen-7(6f), Luke Tuffy(Western Gaels)(1-3), Michael Mc Donagh (Easkey)(2-1).

Subs used: Rory Connellan(Naomh Eoin)(0-1), Shane Mc Donagh (Drumcliffe/ RossesPoint)Adam Roberts (St. Molaise Gaels), James Conway (Easkey), Harry Cawley (Naomh Eoin).

Subs TJ Foody (Western Gaels), Oisín Whelan (Coolera/ Strandhill), Adam Kearns (Western Gaels), Aaron Flynn ( Tourlestrane), Edwin Rolston (Western Gaels).

Offaly: Seb Legnsct,  Sean Cull(0-1),Conor Berry, Donal  Doocey(0-1), Rees Johnson,  Dan Scully, Cian Kinnarnty, Shay Kavanagh, Martin Ryan,  Barry Tierney,  Ryan Hollywood, Sean Carey (0-8(6f,65"), Noel Standish (0-4), Dara Moyne, Killian Hynes(1-0), David Berry,  Sam Mc Guckian, Conor Kelly, Jason Dockery, Sean Lyons, Andrew Mc Evoy.

Referee: J. Cahill