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Walsh plays role of super sub with goal

Sligo SFC final/Tourlestrane 2-9 St Mary's 2-4: Tourlestrane's substitute Eamonn Walsh ended the ambitions fo Sligo town side…

Mon Oct 25 2004 - 01:00

Sligo SFC final/Tourlestrane 2-9 St Mary's 2-4: Tourlestrane's substitute Eamonn Walsh ended the ambitions fo Sligo town side St Mary's with a late second-half goal at Markievicz Park yesterday. Walsh, who came on eight minutes into the second half, got possession about 40 yards out and was on hand again to flick the ball past David Morrissey.

The fare served up by both teams in this gripping Sligo football championship final replay was far ahead of what the sides produced at the same venue a week earlier.

St Mary's started the first half impressively with Mark Brehony opening the scoring in 60 seconds.

Gerry McGowan got Tourlestrane off the mark in the seventh minute but two goals by Mark Rooney in the space of four minutes towards the end of the half put the "Saints" in the driving seat.

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Former All Star Eamonn O'Hara blasted a brilliant goal to the St Mary's net a minute into stoppage time at the end of the half to bring the south Sligo side back into the game.

After St Mary's led 2-3 to 1-4 at half-time, McGowan and Brehony exchanged points from frees at the start of the second half; but amazingly Brehony's 36th-minute score was to be the last of the game for St Mary's.

Tourlestrane stepped up a couple of gears, displaying terrific drive and fighting spirit to pull away from their opponents.

Matthew Walsh squared the match from a free in the 39th minute and Tourlestrane were never in danger after Shane Dunne gave them the lead for only the second time in the game two minutes later.

TOURLESTRANE: F Kennedy; B Kiranne, C Neary, D Henry; S King, D Durkin (0-1), D Dunne; E O'Hara (1-0), S Dunne (0-1); B Egan, M Walsh (0-3), S Leonard; J Marren, G McGowan (0-4), E Harnan. Subs: E Walsh (1-0) for Leonard (38 mins ); J Leonard for Neary (43 mins).

ST MARY'S: D Morrissey; N Murray, J Martyn, A Colleary; C Carroll, J Davey, C Walsh; S Burns, P Mullan; A Boyle, G Heavin, D Caffrey; A Rooney, M Brehony (0-3); M Rooney (2-1), Subs: M Butler for Walsh (27 mins); N Smith for Boyle (35 mins); K Casey for Mullan (52 mins); P Newton for A Rooney (55 mins); K Farragher for Caffrey (58 mins).

Referee: David Mullaney (Enniscrone).