Sligo class wins out against battling Wexford
Pic: Manager Inpho Mcentee Job Tony Done: sligo
THE difference of six points felt about right as Sligo showed the class that brought Galway to the brink of a defeat in a recent Connacht semi-final.
Still, the Alan McLoughlin-inspired Sligo were made to work hard for their 2-21 to 2-15 defeat of gritty Wexford at a sun-baked Markievicz Park.
Having overturned a one-point interval deficit, 1-8 to 1-7, Sligo eventually bossed the second-half proceedings – a process ignited by Alan McLoughlin's goal after 38 minutes – but were almost rattled in the closing stages.
Glen Malone bagged a 64th minute goal to bring Sligo's lead down to three points, 2-17 to 2-14, and then three minutes later he rattled the crossbar as Wexford almost pulled off a shock result.
In between Malone's goal and thwarted goal chance came Niall Murphy's only point for Sligo.
This summed up Sligo's improvement from a year in Division Three – compared to Wexford toiling in Division Four – as the men in black no longer only rely exclusively on team captain Murphy.
Alan McLoughlin contributed 1-5 – all from play – and there were half a dozen points from Sean Carrabine, a mixture of pointed frees, a '45' and a fisted effort from play.
Wexford would have had no late scope for a revival had Carrabine's goal chance found the net instead of the upright in the 52nd minute.
Five of Sligo six defenders also scored – another boost for Tony McEntee's side – and there was also an admirable surge that saw them go 1-3 to 0-1 ahead by the 13th minute, with Mikey Gordon hitting the net.
But Wexford played their part, particularly during a first-half assisted by a warm breeze, and they got back into it through a Dylan Furlong goal after 18 minutes after Sligo got turned over from their own kickout.
Sean Nolan, who would finish with 0-5, pointed three frees in that first-half and his third edged Wexford ahead at the break, 1-8 to 1-7.
Mark Rossiter was on form for the visitors, supplying three points, and Kevin O'Grady was also busy.
Sligo's greater vim paid dividends – although it wasn't a flawless win.
The hosts finished with 14 players due to a stoppage time black card for former U-20 captain Canice Mulligan.
: Alan McLoughlin (1-5); Sean Carrabine (0-6, 4f, 1 ‘45’); Mikey Gordon (1-0); Patrick O’Connor (0-2); Darragh Cummins (0-2); Niall Murphy (0-1); Cian Lally (0-1); Nathan Mullen (0-1); Eddie McGuinness (0-1); Paul McNamara (0-1); Brian Cox (0-1)
Glen Malone (1-2); Sean Nolan (0-5, 3f); Dylan Furlong (1-0); Mark Rossiter (0-3); Kevin O’Grady (0-2); Ben Brosnan (0-1); Paraic Hughes (0-1); Eoghan Nolan (0-1)
A Devaney, E Lyons, E McGuinness, P McNamara, B Cox, D Cummins, N Mullen, P Kilcoyne, C Mulligan, C Lally, A McLoughlin, S Carrabine, M Gordon, P O’Connor, N Murphy Subs used: M Walsh for C Lally, 57; P Laffey for P Kilcoyne, 63; K Cawley for M Gordon, 67; L Deignan for P O’Connor, 71
: R Tubritt, E Porter, G Sheehan, D Lyons, D Furlong, P Hughes, G Malone, L Coleman, N Hughes, K O’Grady, E Nolan, M Rossiter, L O’Connor, S Nolan, C Walsh Subs used: R Waters for C Walsh, 48; C Kinsella for D Lyons, 48; G Staples, 57; B Brosnan for E Nolan, 62; J Higgins for K O’Grady, 62 Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois)