Sligo take scrappy affair despite 14-man handicap

Sligo IT 0-10 Queen's University 0-7: By far the loudest cheer of the day in Dundalk on Saturday erupted when GAA president SeáKelly handed over the Sigerson Cup to Sligo IT captain Christy Toye of Donegal with the congratulatory comment: "The cup goes back to Connacht."

Toye's well-drilled squad had just carried off victory in a sub-standard encounter, marred by unforced errors. Monaghan referee Pat McEnaney showed a total of 13 cards, one of them red. Sligo did well to overcome the handicap of having to play with 14 men for more than 42 minutes.

A nasty off-the-ball incident 18 minutes into the first half resulted in the referee red-carding Sligo wing back Jamie Murphy of Galway after the official had consulted with a linesman. Queen's had the advantage of a strong wind in that half but tactically they failed dismally to respond with the necessary levels of variation required from Murphy's dismissal.

Sligo reacted very positively with skipper Toye dropping back to help out in defence, whereas Queen's stuck to their gambit of having two front-runners at full forward. Mayo's Keith Higgins at full back and corner back Barry McWeeney of Leitrim were not only content to deprive the Queen's front men of possession, but were prepared to run deep in setting up attacks. Toye was also inspiring in any role he took on, covering acres of ground.

Scoring rates for both sides spluttered and stalled for alarmingly lengthy periods. The sides were level on 0-6 each at the end of ordinary time; wing back John Turley of Down forcing extra time with a late point for Queen's.

The Belfast side were awarded a second-half penalty and another golden chance to top up their tally, but Donegal's Paul Durcan, for the second time in two days, proved equal to the task. Armagh's Brian Mallon placed his spot kick attempt well, but Durcan dived to the left to make a great save at the expense of a 45.

Sligo's Eoin Gallagher was perhaps the unluckiest of all not to find the net, the woodwork getting in the way of two of his efforts.

Toye praised the work of his management team and the manner in which "fresh legs" were introduced at key moments.

Two of the substitutes, the unrelated Gallaghers Donnachda and Eoin, scored the last two points after Sligo had held an 0-8 to 0-6 lead at the end of the first period of extra-time. They were needed just after the tireless Brian Mallon had got Queen's close again in the second period.

SLIGO: P Durcan; B McWeeney, K Higgins, C Cafferty; J Murphy, E McGee, S McDermott; P Brady, M Moyles (0-1); M Doherty (0-3, two frees), R O'Connor, C Toye; A Moran (0-2), A Costelloe, D Ward (0-2). Subs: J Glancy, D Gallagher (0-1), E Gallagher (0-1), P O'Connor.

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY: J Gibney; N Bogue, D McCartan, R O'Neill; K Gunn, G O'Kane, J Turley (0-1); M McGrath, C O'Brien; G Donaghy, B Mallon (0-4, 2 frees), K McGourty (0-1); C Moran, J McGovern, P Turley. Subs: K O'Reilly (0-1), M Drumm, P O'Hea.

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).