Murphy in fine form as convincing Sligo overpower Leitrim

Connacht SFC quarter-final: Leitrim 0-6 Sligo 0-15

Niall Murphy kicked five points and debutant Canice Mulligan shone as Sligo registered a convincing win over Leitrim in a one-sided Connacht senior football championship quarter-final at Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada in Carrick-on-Shannon. Sligo, who led 0-9 to 0-1 at half time, never looked in danger and will take on Galway in the provincial semi-final.

This was the first meeting of the provincial neighbours in the Connacht SFC since a quarter-final in 2011 that Leitrim won by three points at Markievicz Park. This was also a clash between last year’s Division Four champions – Sligo – and this year’s Division Four runners-up – Leitrim – with the latter depleted due to the unavailability of under-20 stars Barry McNulty and Jack Foley.

Sligo, who were backed by a huge wind, dominated the first half, and led by the accuracy of Niall Murphy, who bagged four points. But Sligo also kicked 11 wides in the opening half, and were almost caught by Leitrim’s first meaningful attack when midfielder Pearce Dolan’s goalbound shot in the ninth minute was turned over for a point by Sligo net-minder Aidan Devaney.

This was Leitrim’s only score of the first half. It could have been worse for Andy Moran’s men but Sligo’s Paul Kilcoyne took a point instead of trying for a goal in first-half stoppage time.

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Sligo maintained their control in the second half, and they moved possession astutely against the strong breeze.

Among their six points in that second period were potential goal efforts for Nathan Mullen and substitute Mikey Gordon, but both blasted over in front of goal.

The home side continued to battle and almost matched Sligo’s tally in the second half, scoring 0-5 compared to Sligo’s 0-6. Full-forward Darragh Rooney kicked 0-2, wing-back Donal Wrynn shot over when a goal looked on and substitute Evan Sweeney landed their best point.

Leitrim finished with 14 players due to the dismissal of Shane Quinn after 67 minutes when he picked up a second booking.

LEITRIM: N O’Donnell, C Reynolds, M Diffley, A Flynn, D Wrynn (0-1), S Quinn, J Rooney, J Gilheany, P Dolan (0-1), T Prior, R O’Rourke (0-1), P Keaney, R O’Rourke, D Rooney (0-2), J Flynn. Subs: E Sweeney (0-1) for T Prior (47), R Oberwan for R O’Rourke (47), A Reynolds for C Reynolds (50), K Clancy for J Rooney (59), S McLoughlin for P Keaney (63).

SLIGO: A Devaney, E Lyons, E McGuinness, N Mullen (0-2), P Kilcoyne (0-1), B Cox, D Cummins (0-2), P O’Connor (0-1), C Mulligan (0-2), C Lally, A McLoughlin (0-1), S Carrabine, E Smith, N Murphy (0-5, 3f), D Quinn. Subs: M Gordon (0-1) for D Quinn (h-t), M Walsh for E Smith (55), K Cawley for A McLoughlin (68), L Deignan for C Lally (68).

Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone).

Attendance: 4,117