Armagh: 4-10  Sligo :1-8

There was disappointment on Saturday for Sligo’s U17 hurlers as they failed to find the good form that was on display against Offaly the previous week.   

The Yeats county got off to a good start with two consecutive points in the opening minutes from Patrick Walsh, the first a free after Michael Costigan was fouled, followed by one from play which turned out to be Sligo's only point from play in the opening half.

Armagh hit back with three points to go ahead before Walsh, again with a free, levelled matters.

Armagh' s free taker, Tom Scallan added two points from placed balls as Sligo struggled to compete with the Armagh attack. 

Walsh kept Sligo in touch but a goal from Armagh full forward Oran Duffy stretched their lead to four points, 1- 6, 0-5. The half finished with an exchange of points that saw the home side lead by 5 points at half time – 1-7 to Sligo’s 0-5. 

Sligo made a couple of changes for the second half with Thomas Sheridan replacing James Lynch and joining Fiachra Haughey who replaced Oisín Whelan late in the first half. 

As in the first half, Sligo opened the scoring with Walsh converting a free after Conor Lang was fouled. 

The momentum was short lived however as Armagh reasserted their dominance with a second goal quickly followed by a point from Duffy as Sligo struggled to cope with pressure in the back line 

Walsh and Cormac Vereker worked hard for Sligo but with Armagh's full back line in top form, it proved difficult for Sligo's forwards to gain any scoring opportunities. 

A third goal ensued for Armagh to leave the score 3-9 to 0-8. Patrick Walsh had a great goal chance after a lovely pass from Cormac Vereker, only to see his shot go wide. A fourth goal from Armagh ended any chance of a comeback from Sligo.  The final score came from Patrick Walsh,  a well taken goal .

Sligo were very disappointed with this performance. They will have plenty of work to do for the next game in a fortnight's time. 

Sligo: Brian Woods,  Thomas Hargadon,  Jack Mc Daniel,  Oisín Moylan,  Michael Costigan,  Neil Kelly, Ryan O'Donnell Oisín Whelan, James Lynch,  Patrick Walsh(1-8(7f),  Conor Lang,  Rory Connellan,  Cormac Vereker,  Luke Tuffy,  Michael Mc Donagh, Cathal Hughes,  Fiachra Haughey ,Thomas Sheridan, Shane Mc Donagh,  Shane O'Loughlin,  Thomas Kinnane,  James Conway,  Luke Gilgan, Aaron Flynn,  Edwin Rolston. 

Armagh: Dara Walsh; Finn Elshaw, Liam Rafferty, Oisín Toman; Dara Harney, Caionn Hughes, Eoin Bell; Sean Burke, Darren Mc Mullan(0-1); Seannan Gorman (1-0), Jack Loughran, Sean Óg Mc Naughton (0-1); Tom Scallon(1-5(3f), Oran Duffy(1-2), Conor Carabine(0-1)

Subs Carey Laverty(1-0), Charlie  McRory, Eoin Fearon, Peadar Murphy.