Gaelic Games Connacht League/NUIG 1-11 Sligo IT 3-5: NUI, Galway's impressive full forward Daryl McConnell will miss their Sigerson Cup opening round clash with UCD on Wednesday week after being sent off during this draw at Dangan yesterday.
The Cavan man was dismissed for a foul on Sligo IT's Alan Costello by referee Declan Hunt in the 43rd minute of a well-contested Connacht League clash.
NUIG's Gary Cox kicked an injury-time equaliser to confirm their place in next weekend's final against Galway-Mayo IT.
Sligo full forward Michael Doherty converted a penalty for Sligo IT after just one minute but inspired by a Micheál Meehan goal after eight minutes, NUIG had the better of the first half - they led by 1-7 to 1-1 after 24 minutes.
Sligo IT rallied in the second half and another goal from Doherty and one from Donncha Gallagher pushed them in front before 14-man NUIG rallied to salvage a draw.
NUIG: R O'Reilly; D Donnelly, C Monaghan, D Blake; E Towey, N Coyne, O Kelly; N Kilmartin, M Finneran; G Cox (0-2), I Kilbride, F Breathnach (0-2); M Meehan (1-5, two frees, one 45), D McConnell, B Ó Callarain (0-2, one free). Subs: J Boylan for Kilmartin (39 mins), K Costello for Finneran (46 mins), G Sice for Kelly (55 mins).
SLIGO IT: P Durcan; C Cafferky, K Lacey, E Smith; S McDermott, A Moran, J Murphy; P Brady, M Moyles (0-1); J Glancy, D Ward (0-1), R O'Connor; A Costello, M Doherty (2-3, 1-0 penalty, three frees), D Gallagher. Sub: K Higgins for Glancy (55 mins).
Referee: D Hunt (Roscommon).
The students of GMIT handed the Mayo hurlers a lesson at Mervue on Saturday where they clinched their place in the Connacht Hurling League final with an impressive 0-13 to 0-7 victory.
