The 2024 Sligo SFC Final ended in a draw at Markievicz Park. Photo by Sligo GAA
Sligo SFC Final
St Molaise Gaels 1-6 Coolera-Strandhill 0-9
By Liam Maloney at Markievicz Park
The Sligo Senior Football Championship final is going to a replay after St Molaise Gaels and Coolera-Strandhill shared the spoils at a wet Markievicz Park.
Ross Doherty’s 56th minute point brought defending champions Coolera-Strandhill level, 0-9 to 1-6, with St Molaise Gaels unable to build on Jack Davitt’s 33rd minute goal.
This was a repeat of last year’s decider that was won by Coolera-Strandhill, who were looking to secure back-to-back titles for the first time in the club’s history.
Earlier that day Coolera-Strandhill’s Ladies Footballers won a provincial Junior title and so their supporters were already in high spirits.
St Molaise Gaels, looking for a first-ever title, started well and were 0-2 to 0-1 up after six minutes following points from Aaron Currid and team captain Alan McLoughlin.
When Alan McLoughlin found the target again - 12 minutes later - St Molaise Gaels were chasing the game as Coolera-Strandhill had taken charge in the rain through Niall Murphy.
Coolera-Strandhill’s talisman bagged all four of his side’s points in the opening 16 minutes - three converted frees and a monster effort from play,
St Molaise Gaels were then dealt a double blow when injury forced Luke Towey off and a goal chance from Oisin Gilmartin cracked off the Coolera-Strandhill crossbar,
It finished level at half-time, 0-5 apiece with Mark McDaniel getting the holders’ fifth point and St Molaise Gaels keeping in contention with points from the McLoughlin brothers, Jamie and Alan.
St Molaise Gaels scored 1-1 in the opening 10 minutes of the second-half to take what appeared to be a firm grip of proceedings.
Jack Davitt’s polished goal - from a Gerard Brady pass - set up St Molaise Gaels for potential dominance but they didn’t score for the remainder of the game.
Coolera-Strandhill, who were grateful for a Peter Laffey point shortly after that Davitt goal, and three points in the last 10 minutes of normal time brought them level.
Keelan Cawley, Niall Murphy (a free) and Ross Doherty found the range with fine points for the champions to tie up the scores.
Scorers for Coolera-Strandhill: Niall Murphy 0-5 (4fs), Peter Laffey 0-1, Keelan Cawley 0-1, Mark McDaniel 0-1, Ross Doherty 0-1.
Scorers for St Molaise Gaels: Alan McLoughlin 0-4 (4fs), Jack Davitt 1-0, Jamie McLoughlin 0-1, Aaron Currid 0-1.
Coolera-Strandhill: Keelan Harte; Sean Murphy, Sean Taylor, Conor McDonagh; Jonathan Cassidy, Ross O’Carroll, Oran Harte; Kevin Banks, Peter Laffey (c); Keelan Cawley, Mark McDaniel, Ross Doherty; Luke Bree, Niall Murphy, Conor Burke.
Subs: Adam Higgins for Luke Bree 43, Leo Doherty for Conor Burke 43, Barry O’Mahony for Jonathan Cassidy 50.
St Molaise Gaels: Niall McLoughlin; Liam Kennedy, Luke Casserly, Robbie Ryan; Luke Towey, Evan Farrell, Jamie McLoughlin; Joseph Keaney, Alan McLoughlin (c); Keelan Waters, Jack Davitt, Oisin Gilmartin; Aaron Currid, Gerard Brady, Cathal Herron
Subs: Paddy McGowan for Luke Towey 23, Michael Langan for Oisin Gilmartin 49, Eoin McHugh for Aaron Currid 56, Marc Heraghty for Keelan Waters 56.
Referee: Michael Duffy.
