Dublin 3-17 Sligo 0-12
Dublin saw off the robust challenge of Sligo in today’s All-Ireland series qualifier thanks to a glorious ten minute spell at the start of the second half.
Three goals in that period, two within three minutes of the restart, put Dublin in complete control of the contest and they went on to beat a shell-shocked Sligo by fourteen points.
The swing was as remarkable as it was sudden. Dublin had taken a one point lead into the break but Sligo, in only their second appearance at Croke Park, had at no stage looked overawed. Peter Ford’s team had opened the scoring and early on matched Dublin in almost every department as the defeated Leinster finalists began tentatively.
As the half progressed Dublin captain Dessie Farrell began to make his presence felt, scoring three of Dublin’s eight scores, but Sligo will have gone into their dressing-room feeling relatively happy at having kept their All Ireland dreams alive.
Those dreams were to be shattered immediately after the break as Farrell drew first blood. Senan Connell shot for a point only to see his effort strike the upright. The rebound should have been picked up by Sligo defender Philip Gallagher but he could only spill the ball into the path of a grateful Farrell. The Dublin marksman made no mistake and buried it to send his side into a commanding lead.
There was time for Dublin to add another point before Ciaran Whelan scored a goal of stunning quality three minutes later. The big midfielder charged forward, passed to Jason Sherlock who returned the compliment as Whelan ran into space. Whelan made no mistake from close range, blasting the ball beyond the helpless Curran in the Sligo goal.
The Connacht team’s fate was sealed seven minutes later. Dublin were by now brimming with confidenceand piling the misery onto Sligo. And when Enda Sheedy found himself with a little bit of space in front of a packed and delighted Hill 16,he was only going for goal.
A sidestep fooled the beleaguered goalkeeper Curran and Sheedy was able to guide the ball into an unguarded net.
There was to be no way back for Sligo. Ford attempted to rejuvenate his team with some fresh legs but Dublin were not to be denied kicking a total of 15 points and maintaining their considerable lead.
Dublin will join Westmeath, Galway and Derry from the qualifying series in tonight’s All Ireland quarter-final draw.
