Alan McLoughlin of Sligo, second from right, shoots past Tipperary goalkeeper Shane Ryan to score his side's second goal during the Táilteann Cup match between Sligo and Tipperary at Kilcoyne Memorial Park in Tubbercurry, Sligo. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile.
Tailteann Cup Round 1
SLIGO 2-15 TIPPERARY 2-10
By Gavin Cawley at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry
A strong finish from Sligo ensured they got their Tailteann Cup off to a winning start against a very spirited Tipperary side. The match was played in Tubbercurry as Markievicz Park is currently closed for redevelopment work on the pitch.
Tipperary started the match brightly as the they opened the scoring with a goal from Paudie Feehan on five minutes of play as the ball kicked in was misjudged by Daniel Lyons. The lively Sean O’Connor added a point as they pushed four points ahead after six minutes of play.
Sligo finally registered a point with Niall Murphy on target for Sligo but a concern for Tony McEntee’s side was that he was then forced off injured midway through the first half.
The sides traded points before a super two pointer from Steven O’Brien had Tipperary three points clear 1-5 to 0-5 after 14 minutes of play. Despite the strong start to the first quarter from Tipperary, Sligo took control of the remainder of the half. Alan Reilly and David Quinn had Sligo back within a single point and then came a goal from Pat Spillane on 23 minutes as he was quickest to get into the rebounder from Alan McLoughlin.
Sligo would add a further 1-2 without reply with second goal coming from McLoughlin.
Sean O’Connor kept his side in touch before the break as he scored 1-1 with the goal coming from the penalty spot after Kieran Costello was fouled.
Sligo lead at break by three points 2-9 -2-6. Tipperary got the opening point of the second half on 38 minutes from a free and they were further boosted when Sligo were reduced to 13 men with Shane Deignan picking up a second black card for the home side.
Tipperary drew level when Micheal Freaney and Cian Smith landed points BUT Sligo when back to 15 men took control of proceedings once again with three unanswered points with Patrick O’Connor among the scores as they lead 2-12 to 2-9 after 55 minutes of play.
Tipperary failed to score for 28 minutes of the second half but came close twice to netting a third goal with an effort from O’Connor blocked by Daniel Lyons.
Freaney also had shot but the effort came off the crossbar to ensure Sligo came away without conceding a third goal.
Three further points for Sligo before the end through substitutes Ross Doherty and Darragh Cummins ensured Tipperary wouldn’t catch the home side.
Scorers for Sligo Alan McLoughlin 1-3,2f; Pat Spillane 1-2; Alan Reilly, David Quinn, Niall Murphy, Patrick O’Connor 0-2, Ross Doherty, Darragh Cummins 0-1 each
Scorers for Tipperary Sean O’Connor 1-4, 1pen,1f; Steven O’Brien 0-3,1 tp; Paudie Feehan 1-0; Mark Stokes, Cian Smith, Micheal Freaney 0-1 each
Sligo: Daniel Lyons; Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Paul McNamara; Brian Cox, Nathan Mullen, Luke Towey; Paul Kilcoyne, Patrick O’Connor; Cian Lally, David Quinn, Alan Reilly; Alan McLoughlin, Niall Murphy, Pat Spillane
Subs used Shane Deignan for Niall Murphy 23;
Dónal Conlon for Shane Deignan 49; Darragh Cummins (0-1) for Paul Kilcoyne 53; Ross Doherty (0-1) for Brian Cox 61; Mikey Gordon for Alan Reilly 65
Tipperary: Shane Ryan; Manus McFadden, Jimmy Feehan, Jack Harney; Mark Stokes, Luke Boland, Jack O’Neill; Paudie Feehan, Kieran Costello; Micheal Freaney, Daithi Hogan, Steven O’Brien; Cian Smith, Darragh Brennan, Sean O’Connor
Subs used : Mikey O’Shea for Darragh Brennan 32; Mark Russell for Jack O’Neill 46; Emmet Moloney for Jack Harney 50; James Morris for Paudie Feehan 61; Ben Comerford for Daithi Hogan 70
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone
