Sligo gave new manager Peter Forde the perfect start with this impressive victory over Fermanagh at Markievicz Park yesterday. Sligo abandoned their short passing game for a more direct approach and the tactics paid off as they came from behind to record their first win over Fermanagh since 1989.
The Ulster county, who have already reached the final of the All-Ireland B competition this season, looked the sharper side early on, but Sligo began to function with more fluency when Eamon O'Hara, who started at centre half-forward, was switched to midfield.
Despite missing four scorable frees in the first half, Paul Taylor took the scoring honours for Sligo with a personal tally of seven points, five of them in the second-half, which gave his side the impetus they needed to recover from a sluggish start.
With Paul and Tom Brewster dominating the mid-field exchanges, Fermanagh made most of the early running and three excellent points from frees by Raymond Gallagher and one from play by Brendan McBrien gave them a four point advantage after 13 minutes.
Sligo reduced the deficit to the minimum with scores from Taylor, Dessie Sloyan and O'Hara, but Fermanagh tightened their grip on the game when Kieran Donnelly got through for a well worked goal after 26 minutes. Fermanagh led by 1-5 to 0-6 at the interval, but wasted three good chances within minutes of the restart before Rory Gallagher increased their advantage with a point from a free.
The game lost a lot of its early momentum and the untidy nature of the contest was reflected in the booking of seven players, five from Sligo and two from Fermanagh.
Sligo gradually got the upperhand and Taylor pointed three frees in succession to put the sides on level terms. Then, four minutes from time, the home side took the lead for the first time thanks to a splendid point from play by the prolific Taylor.
Although Fermanagh applied a lot of late pressure, Sligo made sure of the victory with points from Taylor and debutant Karol O'Neill in injury time.
SLIGO: P Walsh; P Gallagher, M Cosgrove, B Phillips; D Durkin, N Clancy, N Maguire (0-1); C O'Meara, P Durcan; D Sloyan (0-2), K O'Neill (0-1), S Davey; E O'Hara (0-1), P Taylor (0-7), G McGowan. Subs: C O'Grady for McGowan (56 mins), M Brehony for Davey (69 mins).
FERMANAGH: S Wilson; S Burns, P Quinn, M Lilly; T Callaghan, P Courtney, R Johnson; P Brewster, T Brewster; M McGrath, K Donnelly (1-0); Rory Gallagher (0-1), R Gallagher (0-4), S Maguire; B McBrien (0-1). Subs: S McDermott for McGrath (32 mins), R McCluskey for Callaghan (45 mins), S King for McBrien (58 mins), C Courtney for Rory Gallagher (68 mins), J Gilheaney for McCluskey (69 mins).
Referee: P O'Reilly (Longford).
