Connacht League: The introduction of Brendan Phillips, Paul Taylor and Shaun Davey to the Sligo team at half-time had an immediate impact as they combined to produce the first of Sligo's two second-half goals to sink Leitrim by 2-6 to 0-8 at Cloone yesterday.

Leitrim had started well with Michael Foley knocking over two early frees before Dessie Sloyan got Sligo going in the seventh minute. Two more Foley pointed frees put Leitrim in a commanding position going into the second quarter and, although Sloyan added another Sligo point, Leitrim finished the half leading 0-5 to 0-2.

Within two minutes of the restart the Sligo substitutes found Brian Curran and his pass to Michael McNamara was diverted to the net.

Foley revived Leitrim spirits with a pointed free but three more scores from Curran, Sloyan and Taylor, between the 4th and the 13th minutes, eased Sligo ahead.

In the 17th minute Sloyan's quick free caught the Leitrim defence off-guard and Paul Durcan scored to put the game beyond Leitrim.

Meanwhile, a storming last 10 minutes earned the Defence Forces a 3-10 to 2-13 draw against GMIT at Menlough yesterday.

The Defence Forces led by 0-4 to 0-2 after 10 minutes. GMIT hit back with a goal from corner forward Alan O'Donovan and the sides were level at the break (GMIT 1-5, Defence Forces 0-8).

The students took control on the resumption and goals from Alan Burke and Ronan McNamara saw them stretch their lead to seven points.

The GMIT goalkeeper, Brian O'Donoghue, made a number of outstanding saves but the Defence Forces were rewarded when Jim Gavin scored a goal.

The sides traded points in the last 10 minutes before John Boylan equalised for the Defence Forces with a powerful shot to the net.

Elsewhere, Roscommon beat Mayo by 1-8 to 1-7 at Ballinlough.