Sligo 0.21 - 0.13 Waterford
Waterford's struggles continue in Division Four of this year’s Allianz Football League as they went down by eight points, 0-21 to 0-13, to a superior Sligo at Markievicz Park.
This was a third loss for Ephie Fitzgerald’s men who, as in those defeats to Leitrim and Carlow, were unable to play well enough consistently enough in these three games.
Down by five points at the break, 0-9 to 0-4, Waterford trailed by a similar margin with 68 minutes played, 0-17 to 0-12, but were unable to create and take any goal chances that might have pulled this result from the fire.
A strong finish from Sligo put the game out of Waterford’s reach – a tough outcome on wing-back and team captain Dermot Ryan, who landed five of his side’s 13 points.
Waterford, who won at the Sligo town venue two years ago on their last trip to the north-west, took the game’s opening score when Dermot Ryan pointed after 90 seconds.
This would be the first of just four first-half scores for Waterford, however, although Conor Murray lashed a shot over in the 13th minute that, if lower, would have been a goal effort.
The only other moment of note for Waterford in a first-half that was eventually controlled by Sligo was when Dylan Guiry broke through for a potential goal chance but he was fouled and the subsequent free was converted by Brian Lynch.
With 47 minutes on the clock Waterford had fallen nine points behind, 0-14 to 0-5, but they reacted positively with fine scores from Dermot Ryan, who pointed three times with aplomb in quick succession.
There were also excellent points from Conor Murray and two substitutes, Donal Fitzgerald and John Devine, as Waterford reduced the margin.
But this battling performance, which included some good saves from goalkeeper Paudie Hunt, needed a goal or two to cause an upset.
There were no green flag scores, however, with Waterford’s last point – their 13th – a consolation score from substitute Jason Curry in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The uphill battle goes on.
Sligo: Daniel Lyons, Nathan Mullen (0-1), Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons, Luke Towey (0-1), Darragh Cummins, Paul McNamara, Paul Kilcoyne, Pat Spillane (0-1), Cian Lally (0-1), Sean Carrabine (0-8, 6f), David Quinn (0-1), Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch (0-1), Patrick O’Connor (0-2), Niall Murphy (c) (0-2)
Subs used: Jack Lavin (0-1) for Darragh Cummins, 28; Alan Reilly (0-1) for Pat Spillane, 44; Finnian Cawley for Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch, 49; Donal Conlon (0-1) for Patrick O’Connor, 51; Luke Nicholson for Luke Towey, 68
Waterford: Paudie Hunt, Ross Browne, Liam Fennell, Conor O’Currin, Dermot Ryan (c) (0-5), Darragh Corcoran, Jordan O’Sullivan, Kevin Sheehan, Brian Lynch (0-2, 2f), Jack Keane, Conor Murray (0-3), Michael Curry, Eoghan McGrath-Butler, Dylan Guiry, Caoimhin Walsh
Subs used: Michael Kiely for Caoimhin Walsh, 19; John Devine (0-1) for Jack Keane, 23; Jason Curry (0-1) for Kevin Sheehan, 51; Brian Looby for Jordan O’Sullivan, 55; Donal Fitzgerald (0-1) for Eoghan McGrath-Butler, 60
Referee: Enda McFeely (Donegal)
