Alan Freeman’s late penalty rescues a draw for Mayo against Sligo IT

Mayo 2-8 IT Sligo 1-11

Alan Freeman came to Mayo's rescue with a late goal from the penalty spot to earn a share of the spoils in this Connacht League match at Bekan, Ballyhaunis yesterday.

Freeman’s finish was Mayo’s only score in the second half of a game played in dreadful conditions as the students from Sligo took full advantage of the elements.

They led by three points, having trailed at one stage in the first half by 1-6 to 0-1.

A Cathal Carolan goal, along with points from Darren Coen, Brian Gallagher, Kevin McLoughlin, and two frees from Coen, saw Mayo control the opening 20 minutes before Niall Walsh found the net for the Sligo students who trailed 1-4 to 1-8 at the interval.

Both Kevin McLoughlin and Kevin Keane left on black cards for Mayo as IT Sligo grew in strength as the game wore on and looked destined for victory thanks to the freetaking of Evan Regan, who kicked six frees and two from play to push his claims for a return to the Mayo panel.
MAYO: B Walsh, K Rogers, K Keane, G Cafferkey, B Harrison, S McHale, D Drake, J Gibbons, B Gallagher (0-2), S Kelly, C Freeman, C Carolan (1-1), K McLoughlin (0-3,free) D Coen (0-2, 0-1 free), A Moran. Subs: C Boyle for McLoughlin (BC, 26 mins), J Doherty for Cafferkey (half-time), M Conroy for A Moran (half-time), L Keegan for Keane (BC, 35 mins) A Freeman (1-0, pen) for S Kelly (45 mins).
IT Sligo: A McCallig, R Donovan, S Fee, E Flanagan, K Cawley, M McWeeney, P Varley, S O'Grady D Geraghty, M McHugh, R McHugh, C Mulryan, S Coen (0-2), N Walsh (1-1), E Regan (0-8, 0-6 frees). Sub: B McQuaid for McWeeney.
Referee: R McBrien (Leitrim).