Sligo beat 14-man Farney to keep heat on neighbours
Gerard O'Kelly Lynch, who struck seven points, was one of a dozen different for Sligo in their crucial victory over Monaghan.
Sligo maintained their unbeaten start to the Allianz Hurling League last Sunday, with their six points victory over Monaghan keeping the pressure on league leaders Mayo and teeing up next Saturday’s clash with the Green and Red superbly.
The Yeats County have won three game and drawn once in Division 3A to date this season, but nothing short of a win against Mayo will secure their place in the league final. It’s arguable they’d have fancied themselves to have matters a little easier against the visiting Farney men, who sit second bottom of the table and had a player sent-off in the first-half, but a win is a win and at worst, Sligo are guaranteed of a place in the division’s semi-final.
They had started this game well and led 0-3 to no score after seven minutes, with Easkey’s Fionn Moylan among the early scorers. Pauric Malone registered the first point for the visitors but a Sligo goal in the 13th minute, from centre-forward Eddie O’Donoghue, put the hosts in strong position as they led 1-4 to 0-3.
Sligo kept the scoreboard ticking with youngster Donnchadh O’Brien impressing with his two points in the second quarter of the match. Monaghan were staying in touch, particularly through the dead-ball expertise of Leo Moloney, but the game’s key moment came just before the break when a wild swing from Ethan Flynn on Michael Munnelly saw him receive straight red card from match referee James Judge. Sligo were 1-10 to 0-10 in front at the break.
A quick pair of Sligo points by Conor Hanniffy and Thomas Cawley had Sligo in front by five and while replies by Niall Gartland and Leo Moloney kept Monaghan in touch, a second goal for the hosts arrived on 48 minutes to leave them in a very strong position. Thomas Cawley was the scorer after a free from Gerard O’Kelly Lynch rebounded off the post and fell straight to the grateful substitute.
Two minutes later Monaghan replied with a goal of their own, coming when the flight of a long-range free from Moloney was misjudged by Sligo goalkeeper Declan Reidy and the sliothar ended up in the net.
The Black and White ensured they wouldn’t be caught however, as a brace of points from Gerard O’Kelly Lynch put daylight between the sides again.
Sligo managed the last ten minutes of the match well and ensured they came away with the victory with further excellent points, including from Finnian Cawley and Donall Hanley who by full-time, were among a total of 12 different Sligo players to raise flags.
