Holders make steady progress

Sligo IT2-10 Dundalk IT 0-6Sigerson champions Sligo IT are just one game away from a return to yet another finals weekend after easing past Dundalk IT at Dundalk yesterday.

Although Andy Moran and Alan Clarke traded early scores, Sligo were dominant at midfield in the early stages and Moran and Michael Doherty kicked them to a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes. Seán Purcell struck Sligo's first goal after a great move down the right wing on 22 minutes and that strike helped the visitors to a half-time lead of 1-5 to 0-2.

Dundalk lifted themselves after the break and closed the gap to three points and they should have grabbed a goal of their own when substitute Paddy Mackin found himself through on goal before losing control.

However, Sligo's experience shone through as they ground out another couple of points before Doherty - aptly teed up by Moran - settled the issue midway through the half with his side's second goal.

SLIGO IT: S Heraghty; L O'Malley (0-1), K Higgins, M Connolly; J Murphy (0-1), B McWeeney, P O'Connor; P Delaney (0-1), J McCarthy; B Curran, P Begley, A Moran (0-2); S Purcell (1-0), G McWeeney, M Doherty (1-4, two frees, one 45). Subs: S McGovern for S Purcell (42 mins), D Gallagher for A Moran (54 mins), R O'Connor (0-1) for B Curran (55 mins), C Boyle for M Connolly (58 mins).

LOUTH: S Faulkner; P Lynch, A Clarke, D Walsh; K McConnell, A White, C Sheridan; S Coyle, F Murphy; P Young, A Clarke (0-1), B O'Donnell (0-1); M Lennon, D Crilly (0-3, three frees), E Morrow. Subs: G McEneaney for D Walsh (18 mins), P Mackin (0-1) for E Morrow (29 mins), C Deery for S Coyle (52 mins).

Referee: C Reynolds (Down).