Seán Carrabine remains a key performer for Sligo. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Tailteann Cup Group Two
Sligo 2-21 Wexford 2-15
By Liam Maloney at Markievicz Park
Sligo were made to work hard for their six-point home win over Wexford in this exciting Tailteann Cup Group Two opening round fixture as centre-forward Alan McLoughlin’s 38th minute goal – set up by Niall Murphy – would prove the crucial score for the men in black.
Sligo were pipped at this venue last month by Galway in a pulsating Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final and they also had the edge over Wexford in terms of having played at a higher Allianz Football League level (Division Three) compared to the visitors, who were in Division Four this year.
Wexford, who were defeated by Louth in the Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship quarter-final, had lost to Sligo in their most recent Allianz Football League meetings, but they dominated the Connacht county in the Division Four Shield decider in 2021.
In wonderful conditions, with sun glasses, sun cream and short sleeves the order of the day, Wexford opened the scoring with a point from Kevin O’Grady, who would trouble Sligo’s defence throughout the first-half.
Sligo responded with four scores without reply, 1-3, to move five points clear by the 13th minute, 1-3 to 0-1.
This was an impressive phase from the home side, who landed points through Sean Carrabine’s free, Alan McLoughlin and Paul McNamara, one of four defenders to find the target for Sligo in the first-half.
Sligo’s goal was a polished finish from Mikey Gordon, who has also played hurling for Sligo, when he capped a fine move that involved Patrick O’Connor.
Wexford, however, showed tenacity to bounce back and they hit a purple patch – the highlight of this comeback was a fine goal by Dylan Furlong, who got a pass from Mark Rossiter after Wexford overturned a Sligo kickout.
There were good points, also, from Paraic Hughes and Glen Malone for Wexford, who also got three pointed frees from full-forward Sean Nolan. Nolan’s third score edged the visitors in front, 1-8 to 1-7, ahead of the break.
Sligo, who didn’t dominate for the remainder of the first-half as they had done in the early exchanges when they scored a goal, still hit fine points, including efforts from Eddie McGuinness, Patrick O’Connor and Nathan Mullen.
Wexford extended their lead to two points, 1-9 to 1-7, within 21 seconds of the restart when Mark Rossiter pointed.
But Sligo were back in front following 1-1 from Alan McLoughlin – his nerveless goal finish coming from a quick ball into him by Niall Murphy.
Sligo, with the breeze in the heat, were transformed from then on – Alan McLoughlin continued to impress and Canice Mulligan was beginning to get involved.
Wexford threatened to spoil Sligo’s growing influence and Sean Nolan flicked over for a point when a goal was on from Eoghan Nolan’s ball into the goalmouth.
Sligo almost wrapped up matters after 52 minutes but Sean Carrabine’s low goal shot came off the base of the upright and was eventually scrambled out for a ‘45’.
As matters headed into the closing stages Sligo added to their advantage with good points from two of their best forwards, Sean Carrabine and Alan McLoughlin.
A 64th minute goal from Glen Malone, who finished with 1-2, cut Sligo’s lead to three points, 2-17 to 2-14, and there were some nervy moments for the home support, especially when goalscorer Malone cracked a goal shot off the crossbar three minutes later.
Further points from Sean Carrabine and Alan McLoughlin, as well a point from Brian Cox, completed a fine afternoon’s work for Sligo, who had Canice Mulligan black-carded in time added on.
Scorers for Sligo: Alan McLoughlin 1-5, Sean Carrabine 0-6 (4fs, 1 ‘45’), Mikey Gordon 1-0, Patrick O’Connor 0-2, Darragh Cummins 0-2, Niall Murphy 0-1, Cian Lally 0-1, Nathan Mullen 0-1, Eddie McGuinness 0-1, Paul McNamara 0-1, Brian Cox 0-1
Scorers for Wexford: Glen Malone 1-2, Sean Nolan 0-5 (3fs), Dylan Furlong 1-0, Mark Rossiter 0-3, Kevin O’Grady 0-2, Ben Brosnan 0-1, Paraic Hughes 0-1, Eoghan Nolan 0-1
Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Paul McNamara; Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins, Nathan Mullen; Paul Kilcoyne, Canice Mulligan; Cian Lally, Alan McLoughlin, Sean Carrabine; Mikey Gordon, Patrick O’Connor, Niall Murphy
Subs: Mark Walsh for Cian Lally (57), Peter Laffey for Paul Kilcoyne (63), Keelan Cawley for Mikey Gordon (67), Lee Deignan for Patrick O’Connor (71)
Wexford: Rory Tubritt; Eoin Porter, Gavin Sheehan, Darragh Lyons; Dylan Furlong, Paraic Hughes, Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Kevin O’Grady, Eoghan Nolan, Mark Rossiter; Liam O’Connor, Sean Nolan, Cathal Walsh
Subs: Richie Waters for Cathal Walsh (48), Conor Kinsella for Darragh Lyons (48), Graham Staples (57), Ben Brosnan for Eoghan Nolan (62), Jack Higgins for Kevin O’Grady (62).
Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).
