Sligo go through to Connacht final
Sligo 2-13 2-04 Leitrim
Sligo qualified for their first Connacht senior final since 1997 following an eventually comfortable nine-point dismissal of Leitrim, 2-13 2-04, at a rain-soaked Markievicz Park.
The home side, deemed favourites for this fixture, were stunned in the openeing quarter as Leitrim scored an unanswered 1-02.
The visitors goal came from veteran Seamus Quinn, who profited from Fintan McBrien's perceptive pass.
Sligo, who kicked 13 first-half wides, didn't score until Mark Breheny's 20th minute pointed free.
Three minutes later Dessie Floyan's goal, created by Brian Walsh and Tommy Brennan, dragged Sligo back into contention.
The sides were level at half-time, 1-02 each, but Gerry McGowan's early second-half goal, after a fortunate ricochet, signalled Sligo's recovery.
Indeed Leitrim struggled for much of the second half and were reduced to 14 men when full-back Adrian Charles, the team's captain, was red-carded in the 6th minute of the second-half.
Sligo substitue Darragh McGarty, who kicked two points, injected fresh zest into Sligo's attack as further points from Mark Breheny, Brian Walsh, Tommy Brennan and Eamon O'Hara confirmed the home side's superiority.
Leitrim scored 1-02 in the last five muinutes of this provincial semi-final, including a converted penalty by Fintan McBrien.
Sligo meanwhile prepare for a Connacht final against All-Ireland champions Galway at the end of this month.
