Substitute Ruairi Brennan settled a tight Allianz hurling league Division 3B contest at Kent Parkwith an injury-time point, as Sligo got off to a winning start against Fermanagh with a 2-14 to 1-16 win on Sunday
Brennan struck the decisive score seconds after Fermanagh thought they had earned a draw with a brilliant goal from Declan McGarry. Sligo seemed to have had done enough prior to that, with a goal from Joe Starr and points from debutant Kevin O’Kennedy, Tony O’Kelly-Lynch and Brennan edging them four clear late on. But midfielder Rian Ó Buaigh kept the visitors in touch with a personal tally of eight points, and McGarry’s strike ensured a dramatic finish.
The hosts led by a point at the break, 1-4 to 0-6, with Gary Cadden’s goal separating the sides - his effort deceiving goalkeeper Mark Curry, who was under pressure from O’Kennedy.
Keith Raymond, captain Eoin Comerford and O’Kelly-Lynch wereall on the mark in the opening period for the Yeats men, though Comerford was off-target from a penalty awarded after Brian Shannon was fouled. John Duffy hit two points for Fermanagh, with Barry McPhilips, Caolan Duffy and Ó Buaigh also pointing from play.
The Ulster county started the second half well, but Starr’s goal put Sligo back on course.
The Sligo hurling team which beat Fermanagh in the opening round of the NHL Division 3 at Kent Park
SLIGO: Kevan Brennan; Tommy Kelly, James Weir, Cathal Jordan; Mark Comerford, Liam Reidy, Kevin Banks; Keith Raymond (0-1), Gary Cadden (1-1); Eoin Comerford (Captain 0-1), Kevin O’Kennedy (0-2), Brian Shannon; Tony O’Kelly-Lynch (0-2), David Collery, Joe Starr (1-2). Subs: Kieran Prior (0-1) for Kelly (ht), Ruairi Brennan (0-4) for E Comerford (ht), Tom Brennan for Jordan (48), Niall McDermott for Collery (52), Luke Comerford, Donall Hanley, Tommy O’Callaghan, Danny Keown, Tom Armstrong, Niall Campbell, Shane Brennan. Manager: Daithí Hand.
