Tailteann Cup R3: Sligo overcome spirited London

Tailteann Cup Round Three

Sligo 2-16 London 0-16

By Gavin Cawley at McGovern Park

Sligo booked a place in this year’s Tailteann Cup Quarter-Finals as goals from Gavin Gorman and Canice Mulligan proved decisive in Ruislip.

London started the brightly as they opened the scoring through Shay Rafter after Sligo native Jim Davis was involved in the move.

Sligo were playing against the breeze in the opening half,but they drew level for the first time in the contest as Alan McLoughlin landed a free for the visitors.

The sides traded scores before London took control of the proceedings as Ciaran Diver and Rafter were among the scores as London lead 0-4 to 0-2 after 16 minutes.

Sligo took control as they scored five points on the spin.

During this purple patch, Sligo got scores from Lee Deignan, Niall Murphy and Shane Deignan as Sligo led 0-7 to 0-4.

London replied with point from Liam Gallagher and Rafter point just before the break after a ball from Jim Davis fell kindly to Rafter which could have easily ended up the end to leave the score at the break, 0-7 to 0-6

Joe McGill pointed for London to level, but Sligo took a big grip on proceedings as Gavin Gorman flicked in the opening goal of the match as Cian Lally and Canice Mulligan were involved in the attack to leave Sligo three points clear 1-7 to 0-7.

Shay Rafter replied with a fisted point before Sligo tagged on two point from Lee Deignan and free from Murphy to leave five between the sides.

The match was over as contest on 48 minutes as Sligo got a second goal through Mulligan as he flicked ball to the net.

Sligo led by eight, and despite the best efforts of Joe McGill, Rafter and Diver the two goals were critical. Sligo advanced as Niall Murphy made his 150th appearance for the county.

Scorers for Sligo: Lee Deignan 0-5 (1tp), Niall Murphy 0-4 (3fs), Canice Mulligan 1-1, Alan McLoughlin 0-3 (1tp), Gavin Gorman 1-0, Conor Walsh 0-1, Shane Deignan 0-1, Pat Spillane 0-1.

Scorers for London: Shay Rafter 0-6, Joe McGill 0-4 (1f), Ciaran Diver 0-2, Liam Gallagher 0-2, Daniel Clarke 0–1, Conor O’Donohue 0-1.

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Luke Casserly, Eddie McGuinees , Tommy Ross; Jack Lavin, Canice Mulligan, Luke Towey; Gavin Gorman, Darragh Cummins; Conor Sheridan , Alan McLoughlin, Lee Deignan; Cian Lally, Niall Murphy, Shane Deignan.

Subs: Nathan Mullen for Luke Towey (49); Pat Spillane for Cian Lally (53); Mark McDaniel for Darragh Cummins (62); Conor Walsh for Canice Mulligan (67); Michael Lavin for Shane Deignan (69).

London: Andrew Walsh; Daire Rooney, Conor O’Donohue,Sean O’Donohue; Finbarr Crowley, Conall Gallagher, Conor Goggin; Tighe Barry, Liam Gallagher; Daniel Clarke, Shay Rafter, Ciaran Diver; Michael O’Reilly, Joe McGill, Jim Davis.

Subs: Liam Murphy for Finbarr Crowley (49); Henry Walsh for Jim Davis (49), Ciaran McKeon for Daniel Clarke (54); Nathan McElwaine for Conor Goggin (59); Nathan Feeney for Conall Gallagher (67).

Referee : Séamus Mulhare (Laois).