Nov 04,2024
Coolera-Strandhill 0-08 St Molaise Gaels 0-07
Coolera-Strandhill have won back-to-back Sligo Senior Football Championships for the first time in their history following a one-point defeat of St Molaise Gaels, 0-08 to 0-07, in a cagey yet absorbing county final replay at Markievicz Park.
The winning captain Peter Laffey was his side's hero as he bagged two points from play in the last 11 minutes of normal time to scupper the dreams of St Molaise Gaels, who have never won the Owen B Hunt Cup.
The players and those in attendance appreciated the better weather conditions - there was a mist but no incessant rain compared to the drawn game.
The finalists’ respective top scorers, Niall Murphy (Coolera-Strandhill) and Alan McLoughlin (St Molaise Gaels), were again anticipated to play pivotal roles in this rematch.
Defending champions Coolera-Strandhill had reason to feel fortunate to have got a second bite at the cherry, given the fact that St Molaise Gaels wasted a stoppage time free to potentially win by a point,
Coolera-Strandhill showed their resilience by scoring three unanswered points to force a draw, 0-09 to 1-06, the previous weekend.
The holders looked assured from the off and they had two points on the board in the opening five minutes through Oran Harte and Ross O’Carroll.
St Molaise Gaels, who struggled to break down their organised opponents, were denied a certain in the 12th minute when Gerard Brady, who was found by Evan Farrell’s pass, was denied by Coolera-Strandhill goalkeeper Keelan Harte’s superb save.
Gerard Brady opened St Molaise Gaels’ account four minutes later with a fine point but Coolera-Strandhill continued to impress and they were 0-04 to 0-01 up by the 19th minute following points from Niall Murphy, who converted a free, and Mark McDaniel.
Oisin Gilmartin was working hard for St Molaise Gaels, who finally began to impact in the closing stages of the first-half and two pointed frees from Alan McLoughlin kept them in touch.
Coolera-Strandhill were 0-05 to 0-03 up at the break, with a gem of a point from Niall Murphy giving them their fifth score.
St Molaise produced their best phase of the game when they kicked three points without reply in the opening eight minutes of the second-half to go 0-06 to 0-05 in front - all three scores came from Alan McLoughlin, who landed a classy score from play to go along with two converted frees.
But St Molaise Gaels were unable to build on this and often let themselves down by poor turnovers - although Coolera-Strandhill’s defensive work was noteworthy.
The game’s next three scores came from Coolera-Strandhill. Niall Murphy converted a free and there were two massive points from play by Peter Laffey, the winners’ captain.
St Molaise Gaels turned up the heat in stoppage time and Alan McLoughlin intended to drop a '45’ into Coolera-Strandhill’s goalmouth but his effort floated over the crossbar for the game’s final score.
Coolera-Strandhill, who won by the bare minimum, celebrated as if it was their first title.
Coolera–Strandhill: Keelan Harte, Sean Murphy, Sean Taylor, Conor McDonagh, Leo Doherty, Ross O’Carroll (0-01), Oran Harte (0-01), Kevin Banks, Peter Laffey (c) (0-02), Keelan Cawley, Mark McDaniel (0-01), Ross Doherty, Luke Bree, Niall Murphy (0-03, 2f), Barry O’Mahony
Subs used: Adam Higgins for Luke Bree, 49; Conor Burke for Leo Doherty, 49
St Molaise Gaels: Niall McLoughlin, Liam Kennedy, Luke Casserly, Robbie Ryan, Paddy McGowan, Evan Farrell, Jamie McLoughlin, Joseph Keaney, Alan McLoughlin (c) (0-06, 4f, 1 '45'), Keelan Waters, Jack Davitt, Oisin Gilmartin, Aaron Currid, Gerard Brady (0-01), Cathal Herron
Subs used: Eoin McHugh for Jamie McLoughlin, 44; Marc Heraghty for Keelan Waters, 49; Michael Langan for Keelan Waters, 53; John Kerins for Aaron Currid, 59
Referee: John Gilmartin
