Michael Byrne slots late equaliser as Sligo and Antrim share spoils

Very little separated the sides in the opening half, Antrim playing with the breeze, and it was the Yeats County who went into a comfortable five-point lead, captain Niall Murphy, Seán Carrabine and Alan McLoughlin all contributing.

But the Ulstermen responded, Ryan McQuillan, Ruairí McCann and Patrick McBride all influential as they reduced the deficit to go in one in front at the break.

Tony McEntee’s Sligo had a number of goal chances in the opening half but it was Antrim that took a slender one-point lead at the interval in a high-scoring 35 minutes, ahead by 0-13 to 0-12.

Sligo had another goal chance following the resumption, the excellent McLoughlin finding Murphy, who opted to fist over as the sides were level once more.

Another good Antrim move saw McBride add Antrim’s 14th point through a free on 40 minutes as Andy McEntee’s men nudged in front.

Corner back Evan Lyons broke and counter-attacked for Sligo as Carrabine was fouled and captain Murphy brought it back level at 0-14 apiece.

It was another good move from the Yeats County, led by Nathan Mullen that put Sligo in front on 43 minutes, but Antrim responded through McQuillan a minute later as very little separated the sides in a hugely entertaining contest.

A good move from the hard-working Cian Lally saw Paddy O’Connor break through, Antrim defending as Sligo then took the lead. Great work from Paul McNamara and Lally saw McLoughlin get his third and edge Sligo in front on 47 minutes as it was back to a one-point game.

A Murphy free drifted wide on 50 minutes as Sligo looked to go further in front. Antrim’s McQuillan saw his shot also sail wide of the posts as Cummins attacked for Sligo with Mikey Gordon’s effort also going narrowly wide.

McCann and O’Connor traded scores as Sligo were given a massive let-off, Jordan’s goal chance sailing wide, Murphy then put Sligo in front by two on 59 minutes and Carrabine put a goal between them. Sligo went four in front, substitute Mark Walsh on target, but Antrim rallied again.

Conor Hand (2) and the excellent McQuillan brought it back to one into added time and goalkeeper Michael Byrne slotted over a late, late free as Antrim equalised just before the full-time whistle after a hugely entertaining contest.

Scorers – Antrim: R McQuillan (0-6 1f), P McBride (0-4 2f), R McCann (0-2), C Hand (0-2), C McLarnon, P McAleer, M Jordan, J Finnegan, N Burns, M Byrne (f) all 0-1 each. Sligo: N Murphy (C) (0-8 3f), S Carrabine (0-3), A McLoughlin (0-3), P O’Connor (0-2), D Cummins, C Lally, N Mullen, M Walsh all 0-1 each

Antrim: M Byrne, D Lynch, E Walsh, K Keenan, N Burns, J Finnegan, D McAleese, P McAleer, C Hynds, C McLarnon, P McBride, R McCann, R McQuillan, R McCann, M Jordan. Subs: D McEnhill for McBride (52), C Hand for Burns (52), J McDonnell for Keenan (63), C Johnston for McCann (71)

Sligo: 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: M Walsh for Gordon (58), E Smith for Lally (61), J Lavin for McNamara (70), L Deignan for O’Connor (73).