Sligo SFC Final

Coolera-Strandhill 0-11 St Molaise Gaels 0-8

By Liam Maloney at Markievicz Park

Coolera-Strandhill are the new Sligo SFC champions following their three-point defeat of first-time finalists St Molaise Gaels, 0-11 to 0-8, at a sunny Markievicz Park.

Due to Tourlestrane’s dominance between 2016 and 2022, this is the first time there has not been a Tourlestrane captain accepting the Owen B Hunt Cup in eight years.

Niall Murphy bagged five points for the winners for whom Sligo U-20 player Mark McDaniel also impressed and was named Player of the Match.

This was an historic occasion for St Molaise Gaels, who were appearing in their first-ever senior decider, while Coolera-Strandhill, who were appearing in their third final in five years, had last won the Owen B Hunt Cup in 2005.

Coolera-Strandhill opened the scoring with a point after 68 seconds by Mark McDaniel – from a Niall Murphy – pass but that would be the former champions’ only score of the opening 20 minutes as St Molaise Gaels showed no signs of big day nerves as they took charge.

The men in green reeled off five points from play without reply, with five different players on target.

The best of these points came from team captain Alan McLoughlin and Gerard Brady, while county star Luke Towey also pointed.

Coolera-Strandhill were struggling to get involved and needed a huge point from Niall Murphy after 20 minutes halt the St Molaise Gaels tide.

But St Molaise Gaels, even with midfielders Alan McLoughlin and Joseph Keaney winning possession, failed to add to their lead and missed two frees when Michael Langan was off target.

They held an interval lead, 0-5 to 0-2, and will have been grateful for Coolera-Strandhill shooting two wides in first-half stoppage time.

Coolera-Strandhill were the better side in the second-half and Niall Murphy’s huge point sparked this improvement after 35 minutes.

St Molaise Gaels had a possible goal chance in the 10th minute of the second-half, but Michael Langan opted for a fisted point rather than test Coolera-Strandhill net-minder Keelan Harte.

Three points on the spin from Coolera-Strandhill thanks to Niall Murphy (2) and Barry O’Mahony has the eventual winners in front for the first time, 0-7 to 0-6, by the 47th minute.

At this stage it was more of an even contest as St Molaise Gaels were unable to sustain the intensity of their first-half display.

Alan McLoughlin brought St Molaise Gaels level with five minutes of normal time left.

But once again Coolera-Strandhill turned things up a notch and three points without reply from Niall Murphy, Mark McDaniel and Ross Doherty put Coolera-Strandhill in a strong position, 0-10 to 0-7.

Alan McLoughlin pointed again in the third minute of stoppage time for what would prove to be St Molaise Gaels’ final score.

Coolera-Strandhill wrapped up their hard-fought win when Ross Doherty pointed again, this time from a pass by team captain Peter Laffey – the captain was later presented with the Owen B Hunt Cup by Sligo GAA chairman Sean Carroll, who is from the Coolera-Strandhill club.

Coolera-Strandhill: Keelan Harte; Jonathan Cassidy, Sean Taylor, Luke Bree; Keelan Cawley (0-1), Ross O’Carroll, Sean Murphy; Kevin Banks, Peter Laffey (c); Ross Doherty (0-2), Aaron O’Boyle, Mark McDaniel (0-2); Leo Doherty, Niall Murphy (0-5, 1f), Barry O’Mahony (0-1)

Subs: Donagh Flynn for Aaron O’Boyle 12, Adam Higgins for Leo Doherty 36, Eoin Comerford for Kevin Banks 36, Conor Burke for Donagh Flynn 52, Kevin Banks for Eoin Comerford 59.

St Molaise Gaels: Niall McLoughlin; Liam Kennedy, Luke Casserly, Marc Heraghty; Jamie McLoughlin, Evan Farrell, Luke Towey (0-1); Joseph Keaney, Alan McLoughlin (c) (0-3, 2f); Aaron Currid (0-1), Gerard Brady (0-1), Keelan Watters (0-1); Michael Langan (0-1), Eoin McHugh, Jack Davitt

Subs: Cathal Herron for Eoin McHugh 42, Robbie Ryan for Evan Farrell 49 Dean Carroll for Keelan Watters, 54.

Referee: Barry Judge (Castleconnor).