It was a weekend of thrills and surprises in the world of Gaelic football as Brilliant Sligo pulled off a stunning victory over their fierce rivals Mayo in the Connacht semi-final. Meanwhile, Down kept their hopes of winning the Ulster championship alive by booking a place in the final. The results have sent shockwaves throughout the footballing community, with fans left stunned and delighted in equal measure. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the highlights from these gripping matches and what they mean for the teams going forward.
The Sligo U20 football team, reigning champions, won their Connacht semi-final tie against Mayo at the Centre of Excellence in Bekan, repeating last year’s win against the same opposition. Mayo, featuring senior players Sam Callinan and Bob Tuohy, were boosted in the first half when Fenton Kelly scored the only goal of the game. However, Sligo led at half-time, 0-9 to 1-4, and continued their dominance in the second half, eventually winning by five points, 0-17 to 1-9. Luke Marren (0-4), Matt Henry (0-4) and Daire O’Boyle (0-2) led the attack for Sligo. The victory sets up a Connacht U20 football final with Galway on Wednesday, 19 April.
In Ulster, Down defeated Monaghan 1-17 to 1-9 in their U20 semi-final at Páirc Esler in Newry. The result means Down will feature against Derry in the final, their last title-winning year being 2022, with Derry’s most recent success in 2018. Oisin Savage scored 1-7 for Down, while Jamie Doran chipped in with four points off the bench. Attacker Stephen Mooney was Monaghan’s top scorer with 1-4.
The Leinster minor football group games saw victories for Kildare, Offaly, Dublin, Louth and Wicklow. Meanwhile, the Munster U20 hurling game between Waterford and Clare was postponed due to bad weather conditions and will now take place on 13 April at Fraher Field in Dungarvan.
In conclusion, it was a weekend of high stakes and intense competition in the world of Gaelic football. Sligo’s stunning victory over Mayo shows that anything can happen on the field, and Down’s booking in the Ulster final reminds us that perseverance and determination can lead to great success. As we eagerly await the upcoming games, we can look forward to seeing more exciting displays of skill and teamwork from these talented athletes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual spectator, there’s always something to admire in the beauty of the game.
