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Niall Carew: ‘I’m very happy’

Sligo manager Niall Carew.

Sligo manager Niall Carew.

Sligo manager Niall Carew is encouraged following an impressive Allianz Football League Division Three start.

A draw with favourites Armagh was followed by a fine away win against Tipperary at Semple Stadium so Sligo will travel to Corrigan Park on Sunday for a clash with Antrim hoping to maintain their unbeaten record.

The return of St Vincent’s Brendan Egan is a significant boost, while David Kelly and Pat Hughes are also expected to be back in Sligo colours shortly too.

Kelly didn’t feature for Sligo during the 2016 Allianz Football League and Championship, but he is set to play some part this year.

Carew is content with Sligo’s February form. “In fairness to Tipp they are notorious for bringing back big leads down through the years, we had a few chances to go 12 or 13 up, but we would have taken the point win coming down. I'm very happy.

“We have three points on the board, but we have a big game against Antrim. We are really focused on that game. Brendan Egan being back will be good, it is good to have three points out of four ahead of a big game in Antrim.”

Captain Neil Ewing and Mark Breheny, still a clever performer for Sligo, were praised by Carew for their displays in Thurles. “Neil is a good player, an excellent player, a superb captain. I thought Mark Breheny was very good against Tipperary, he linked the play all day, he was on one of the best attacking centre backs in the country in Robbie Kiely,” Carew stated.

Paddy O’Connor and Adrian McIntyre’s midfield partnership offers another source of optimism for Sligo according to Carew. “I think Paddy outwits a lot of players, he has a good engine, is a good kickpasser, all round he is a good player with a big future for Sligo.”