Sligo power past Limerick to reach Tailteann Cup semi

Stylish Sligo powered into a Tailteann Cup semi-final thanks to a 17-point defeat of an overwhelmed Limerick, 2-20 to 0-09, at a sunny Markievicz Park.

In control at the break with an eight-point advantage, a Sean Carrabine-inspired Sligo continued to dominate what proved a one-sided second half as goals from Lee Deignan and Patrick O’Connor enthused the home fans further.

The Tony McEntee-managed home side came into this game as favourites due to their status as one of the competition’s top seeds and winners of Group 2.

Furthermore, they had five points to spare in their away defeat of Limerick earlier this year in Division Three of the Allianz Football League.

Limerick’s loss to Sligo was one of seven defeats in their relegation season in the Allianz Football League.

But they have been reborn in recent weeks in the Tailteann Cup, winning twice in Group Four and then they overcame Tipperary in a preliminary quarter-final.

Sligo, without regular full-back Eddie McGuinness for this contest, reshuffled their defence and gave a start to forward Lee Deignan, a Connacht U-20 winner two years ago.

Breeze-assisted Limerick opened the scoring with a booming point from team captain Iain Corbett after four minutes.

Then Sligo took charge when shooting eight points without reply. Three of these points came from Sean Carrabine, who was superb in the opening half, scoring 0-05 in all.

Sligo were sitting back to absorb Limerick pressure, forcing turnovers and then counter-attacking with pacy transitions.

Nathan Mullen, Niall Murphy and Lee Deignan were also among the Sligo’s scorers during this dominant phase and were 0-08 to 0-01 up by the 18th minute.

Limerick, already in trouble, hit back with a couple of points, including a big score from Tommy Childs.

But Sligo moved up the gears again and they reeled off three points without reply to confirm their dominance – Sean Carrabine landed a fine point after a jinking run.

Cian Lally wrapped up Sligo’s productive opening period with a couple of outstanding scores. Limerick notched the final score of the first half when Cillian Fahy point which left it 0-13 to 0-05 in favour of Sligo.

At half-time one of Sligo’s relay medal winners with Team Ireland at the European Athletics Championships, Lauren Cadden (Sligo AC), was introduced to the crowd.

Limerick landed the first score of the second period – a converted ’45’ from goalkeeper Josh Ryan – but this was the first of just four second-half points from the Munster county.

Sligo stamped their authority on proceedings when Lee Deignan goaled with a cool finish from Alan McLoughlin’s assist after 45 minutes.

From then on it was a matter of how much Sligo could score and they hit the 20-point mark for the fourth game in succession.

The winners’ second goal came from a driving run by substitute Mark Walsh, who set up Patrick O’Connor for a close-range finish in the 65th minute.

Limerick full-forward Rob Childs came close to bagging a consolation goal but he drove his effort over for his side’s seventh point.

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Nathan Mullen (0-01), Evan Lyons, Paul McNamara; Paul Kilcoyne, Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins (0-02); Patrick O’Connor (1-0), Canice Mulligan (0-01); Cian Lally (0-03), Alan McLoughlin (0-02), Lee Deignan (1-01); Mikey Gordon, Niall Murphy (0-3, 1f, 1 ‘45’), Sean Carrabine (0-07, 3f, 1 ‘mark’)

Subs used: Jack Lavin for Brian Cox, h-t; Mark Walsh for Mikey Gordon, 53; Donal Conlon for Cian Lally, 55; Eoghan Smith for Darragh Cummins, 59; Pat Spillane for Alan McLoughlin, 64

Limerick: Josh Ryan (0-2, 1f, 1 ‘45’), Cormac Woulfe, Sean O’Dea (0-1), Paul Maher, Barry Coleman, Cillian Fahy (0-1), Tony McCarthy, Tommy Childs (0-1), Iain Corbett (0-1), Emmet Rigter, James Naughton, Cathal Downes, Danny Neville, Rob Childs (0-1), Peter Nash (0-2, 2f)

Subs used: Jim Liston for Tony McCarthy, h-t; Bryan Nix for James Naughton, 46; Shane Costelloe for Cathal Downes, 48; Brian Ahern for Rob Childs, 61; Andrew Meade for Emmet Rigter, 67

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)