Sligo boss admits that Mayo were the 'far better team'

Mayo asked Sligo the questions and they simply hadn’t the answers. That was the frank assessment by Sligo U20 manager Paul Henry as the black and white were caught in a green and red whirlwind in falling to a second defeat in the Connacht U20 Championship.

A Sligo win would have seen them through to the final at Mayo’s expense but they now will meet Roscommon tomorrow (Wednesday) evening in the semi-final to see if they get another crack at Mayo, and the manager says they have much to do.

“Thankfully, we have another opportunity next week now against Roscommon to set that right. In fairness, Mayo were the far better team tonight, took some great scores, showed the pace and everything that they have and caused us real problems. We just didn't have the answers today. If you don't end up winning enough kickouts or enough of your own ball, you're in trouble. So, it's definitely something we're working on. Looking at today, it looks like we have to work on a lot more.” 

The introduction of Ronan Niland improved Sligo’s fortunes in the second half. The St Mary’s player has had injury problems with his hip and as Sligo were guaranteed a semi-final at least, four weeks in a row was asking a lot of the forward.

“Ronan is carrying a bit of a niggle all the time unfortunately. He’s an excellent player. Just with all the games that have come so thick and fast. It's been unfortunate that we had the bye in the first round. It didn't suit Ronan really to keep going four weeks on the trot. It was a decision we made to try and make sure that we protected him as well. He got in there in second half and done his bit as well for the team but that wasn't the winning and losing against today's game.” 

Things are somewhat improving on the injury front for Sligo. Eli Rooney had a good second half cameo but the championship for David Lyons is over after suffering a shoulder injury against Leitrim. Niland and Rooney will give Paul Henry some selection headaches while he also has a decision on whether to start Donnchadh O’Brien or Ethan Carden in goal, who both saw action against Mayo. 

“The two boys have to work against each other and see who wants the spot now for the semi-final. Like we say to all our players, there's a panel here and everyone has to fight to get the position, so we gave both of them an opportunity today and now have a week to show us who ends up getting the number one jersey next week.” 

Roscommon stand in Sligo’s way of a third final in four years at U20 level. There was nine points in the difference when the Saffron and Blue won their round robin game and Henry admits big improvement will be required if they are to win on this occasion.

“We have to end up getting more of our share of the ball in the middle of field…they completely dominated us in Hyde Park. If we end up getting dominated again next weekend, unfortunately it’ll look like it would be similar results. We were in that game and had opportunities of scores that we didn't take. But they're two areas that we want to improve on over the week, taking more opportunities when we get them, and also making sure that we get enough primary ball in the middle of the field to cause problems for them.”