A late goal in added time saw Sligo minor footballers beat Down by 1-9 to 1-8 in Clones on Saturday to claim the Jim McGuigan Ulster minor league shield title for 2019.
Sligo, despite playing with the advantage of a strong wind in the opening 30 minutes, trailed at half-time by 1-4 to 0-3. Despite playing most of the second half with 14 players following the dismissal of their centre half-back, Michael Duffy’s team showed commendable character to secure victory late on with a goal near the end.
In his acceptance speech, team captain Oran McDonagh dedicated the win to the late Cllr Margaret Gormley from Sligo who passed away recently.
Listen to the postmatch reaction of Sligo minor manager Michael Duffy, who spoke to Ocean FM Sport’s Cathal Mullaney after Saturday’s win:
Sligo took part in the Ulster minor league this year as there is no Connacht minor football league. In the group phase, Sligo had wins against Donegal and Fermanagh, a draw with Cavan and they were beaten by a point by Tyrone (who won the Jim McGuigan Cup on Saturday with an extra-time win against Monaghan).
The 2019 Connacht minor football championship will be played on a round-robin basis this year.
