Slick Sligo put already-relegated Leitrim to the sword

Slick Sligo registered one of their biggest-ever wins in the Allianz Football League when they overpowered Leitrim by 22 points, 0-32 to 0-10, in a non-event at Markievicz Park between these Connacht neighbours.

Pat Spillane led the way for the men in black, finishing with 0-06, with team captain Niall Murphy also shooting half a dozen points.

Cian Lally was impressive with a five-point haul as Sligo confirmed their Division Three status for 2025 with an emphatic win in perfect conditions.

Sligo were looking to avoid a potential shock, given that the already-relegated Leitrim had nothing to lose and were looking for a boost after the fallout from their well-documented travails that forced them to give Fermanagh a walkover.

The home side needed a win to be certain of avoiding relegation, otherwise they would be relying on Antrim not beating Kildare in Newbridge.

The Steven Poacher-managed visitors were competitive in the opening exchanges and it was 0-3 apiece by the 12th minute.

Spillane landed two fine points for Sligo early on, with the second coming from a pacy surge, but Leitrim fought back and Evan Harkin's good score levelled matters.

Sligo completely dominated the next 20 minutes and registered 11 points without reply to lead 0-14 to 0-3.

All six of their starting forwards found the target, with Murphy and Lally providing the most stylish points for the hosts.

Leitrim kicked three points in the closing stages and Tom Prior, their best forward, landed his third of the afternoon.

Alan McLoughlin’s converted free was Sligo’s 15th point of the opening period as they took a nine-point advantage into the break, 0-15 to 0-6.

The hosts were relentless during a wind-assisted second-half as they continued to clock up points in what became a horribly one-sided affair.

The winners reached the 20-point mark by the 45th minute when Spillane scored and point number 30 came after 56 minutes when Lally found the target.

Sligo ought to have notched at least one goal during the second period, but Nathan Mullen lashed a shot over and an effort from Lally came off the crossbar.

Leitrim scored four points in the second-half all from the boot of Riordan O’Rourke.

The game’s only two-pointer was an orange flag score from Sligo midfielder Patrick O’Connor.

KEY: tp - two-point score; tpf - two-point free; tpm - two-point mark

Sligo: Daniel Lyons, Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Paul McNamara, Brian Cox, Nathan Mullen (0-01), Luke Towey (0-02), Paul Kilcoyne (0-01), Patrick O’Connor (0-02 1tp), Cian Lally (0-05), David Quinn (0-01), Alan Reilly (0-02), Alan McLoughlin (0-03, 1f), Niall Murphy (c) (0-06), Pat Spillane (0-06)

Subs: Aidan Devaney for Daniel Lyons, h-t; Ross Doherty for David Quinn, h-t; Jack Lavin (0-01) for Luke Towey, h-t; Mikey Gordon for Alan Reilly, 44; Shane Deignan (0-02) for Patrick O’Connor, 56

Leitrim: Brian Cull, Eoin McLoughlin, Kieran Clancy, Eanna McNamara, Stephen McLoughlin, Mark Diffley (c), James Rooney, Keith Keegan (0-01), Conor Quinn, Jack Flynn, Evan Harkin (0-01), Sean Harkin, Riordan O’Rourke (0-04, 3f), Ben Guckian (0-01, 1f), Tom Prior (0-03)

Subs: Jack Foley for Conor Quinn, 10; Cillian McGloin for Evan Harkin, h-t; Ryan Bohan for Eanna McNamara, h-t; Darren Cox for Stephen McLoughlin, h-t; Shane Finn for Ben Guckian, 52

Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath)

Click here to read article