Connacht League: A David Ward goal in the 44th minute sent Sligo IT on their way to a victory at the IT grounds last night.

Galway senior forward Micheál Meehan had reduced the deficit to three points a minute earlier with a goal from the penalty spot for the visitors.

Three unanswered points put IT seven points ahead, but a spirited late NUIG rally, capped with a Colm McFadden goal, brought the visitors back into contention.

NUIG got off to a flying start with points by Meehan and Thomas Griffin in the opening two minutes of the first half.

Jonathan Davey opened the Sligo IT's account after three minutes, and Andy Moran's goal from the penalty spot in the fifth minute put the home side two points in front.

Michael Finneran levelled the scores with a ninth-minute point but IT rallied to lead 1-4 to a 0-6 at half-time.

SLIGO IT: P Durcan; B Dunnion, E McGee, N McGee; A Higgins, S Grimes, K Cassidy; B Boyle (0-1), M Moyles (0-2); C Toye (0-1), P Finlay (0-3), A Moran (1-2); M Doherty (0-2), D Ward (1-1), J Davey (0-1).

NUIG: D Morrin; R Murray, C Monaghan, D Blake; M Beirne, D Kelly, N Coyne; M Finneran (0-1), N Gilmartin; B O'Colleran (0-1), T Griffin (0-3), R Donnelly; C McFadden (1-0), M Meehan (1-3), C De Paor. Subs: L Keane for Morrin; O Kelly for Coyne.

Referee: D Corcoran (Mayo).