There was disappointment for Sligo hurlers on the opening Saturday of the Allianz Hurling League as Padraig Mannion's side were edged out by Derry in difficult weather conditions at Celtic Park in their Division 2B opener, on a final scoreline of Derry 2-14 Sligo 1-14.
Goals from Tiernan McHugh and Gerald Butler along with nine points from Cormac O’Doherty helped Derry to victory - but the game's top scorer was Sligo's Gerard O'Kelly-Lynch, who converted a second-half penalty on his way to an impressive tally of 1-12.
The wet conditions made fluent hurling a challenge and the overcast light in early February meant the floodlights at Celtic Park were switched on during the second-half.
Sligo are competing in a six-team Division 2B, which also includes Donegal, London, Mayo and Wicklow.
Mickey McCann's Donegal host London in their opening league game on Sunday at O'Donnell Park in Letterkenny (12pm).
Allianz Hurling League Div 2B
Derry 2-14 Sligo 1-14
Donegal v London (Sun, 12pm)
Mayo v Wicklow (Sun, 2pm).
