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Down register just one score from play in defeat

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round One: Slio 1-7, 0-4 Down  How the loyal Down followers in a 5,000-strong crowd must have longed…

Mon Jun 19 2006 - 01:00

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round One: Slio 1-7, 0-4 Down  How the loyal Down followers in a 5,000-strong crowd must have longed for even a glimpse of their county's former glory days after this lacklustre first-round qualifier at Markievicz Park on Saturday night

After a lethargic opening half brightened only by a cracking Seán Davey goal in the fifth minute, the travelling fans hoped for a rousing second half by the men in the red and black jerseys.

But their hopes were dashed as Sligo, faced with token opposition, themselves laboured their way over the finishing line.

Down's dangerman Benny Coulter had a goal chance in the first half after receiving a good ball from Dan Gordon, but the Sligo defence somehow managed to clear the danger,

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A Down goal then would have given Paddy O'Rourke's men confidence and in the end might have made a difference.

Sligo led 1-3 to 0-3 at half-time.

Coulter blasted a shot against the crossbar three minutes into the second half, but by then Sligo were firmly in the driving seat, with defenders Charlie Harrison, Ross Donovan and Karol O'Neill clearing their lines with authority.

Daniel Hughes got the visitors off the mark after 12 minutes of the first half but that was their only point from play in the 70 minutes. Sligo manager Tommy Breheny was very happy with the result: "We set out our stall at the start and defended very well."

SLIGO: P Green; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donovan (0-1); B Kivlehan, P McGovern, K O'Neill; E O'Hara, B Egan; T Taylor, M Breheny, (0-3 from frees), P Doohan; K Sweeney, S Davey, (1-1, 1 from free), M Marren. Subs: P Taylor (0-1) for Sweeney (31 mins), J McPartland (0-1) for T Taylor (51 mins).

DOWN: B McVeigh; M Cole, B Grant, A Molloy; P Murphy, D Rafferty, A Scullion; A Rodgers, D Gordon; M Doran, L Doyle (0-1 from free), R Murtagh; R Sexton, B Coulter, D Hughes, (0-2 1 free). Subs: A Brannigan for Cole (7 mins), Cole for Brannigan (10 mins), M Poland for Sexton (40 mins), A Carr (0-1 from 45) for Hughes (58 mins), J Colgan for Murtagh (62 mins), C Laverty for Doran (68 mins).

Referee: D Goldrick (Meath).