February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Sligo proved their superiority with this well-earned victory over their Northern counterparts in this Junior Football Division A game at Gaelic Park on Sunday. It’s a tough division, even when compared to previous years, when it was nigh on impossible to predict a winner.
Tyrone had their moments throughout the tie, leading at vital stages in the game. When Joe Corrigan and Justin Murray hit early points for Tyrone, it looked as if something of a surprise was on the cards. Barney Healy and Paul Tuffy put paid to any hopes of a healthy Tyrone lead early on though with some fine scoring, and, followed by an effort from Ciaran Heneghan, it brought Sligo right back.
Tyrone hit a flurry of points late in the half from Seamus McNabb, Barry McNamee and Adrian Carr, to go into the interval leading by a point.
When the game proceeded after the break though, it was mostly Sligo who succeeded in grabbing the scores. A Joe Corrigan goal for Tyrone gave the Ulster side a glimmer of hope, though efforts from Kevin Barry, Peadar Reynolds and Healy canceled that out almost immediately. A goal from the excellent Alan Barry gave Sligo a further lead, and points from Healy and Barry moved them in front to a point where it became obvious that Tyrone would have a job on their hands drawing level.
Sligo are something akin to a dark horse for this division: the always-fancied Rangers are there, as are Donegal, but following this win, Sligo will feel confident of their chances of finishing in a lofty position come September. Points from Dean O’Connor and Kevin Barry appeared to have rounded off the scoring until a late goal from John Naughton sealed the victory.
Follow us on social media
Keep up to date with the latest news with The Irish Echo
Tyrone: Shane Gallagher, B.J. Donaghy, Stephen Nixon, Darren Duffin, Pat Devlin, Shane Devlin, Brian McLoughlin, Ray Higney, Justin Murray (0-2), Adrian Carr (0-2), Barry McNamee (0-3), Joe Corrigan (1-1), Seamus McNabb (0-1), Brian McGarrity, Declan Coltan.
Sligo: Kevin Donnelly, Sean Brennan, Mike Gill, Kevin Hegarty, David Surliss, Eamonn Duffy, Ray Reynolds, Peadar Reynolds (0-2), Dean O’Connor (0-1), Seamus McClafferty, Alan Barry (1-1), Barney Healy (0-3), Kevin Barry (0-1), John Naughton (1-0), Paul Tuffy (0-1). Subs: John Cribben (0-1), Ciaran Heneghan (0-1).
Man of the Match: Alan Barry (Sligo).