Six-point man Niall Duffy the hero for Sligo as his late free earns minor win over Leitrim
Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Championship Round 2: Sligo 0-9 Leitrim 0-8
Sligo left it late in their minor clash against Leitrim
A late Niall Duffy free in the third minute of added time ensured Sligo snatched a late, late victory over Leitrim in sunny Markievicz Park.
This extremely close encounter saw the game level on eight occasions before Duffy, excellent throughout for the hosts, scored his sixth point and, ultimately, the winner. Jack Kelly was exceptional for Leitrim, finishing with a five-point tally as the visitors left disappointed not to get a point.
Stephen Henry's side hit eight wides in the opening half with the wind on their backs as it was level at the interval in a low-scoring affair. Sligo, the provincial champions in 2021, had opened their campaign with a draw in Tuam against Galway.
Dáire McCabe opened the scoring for the visitors from a free five minutes in and it took until the 14th minute before the Yeats County got on the scoreboard, the excellent Noah Phillips setting up Matthew Walsh.
Points from Marc Clifford and Duffy gave Sligo a slender lead as half-time approached. However, Leitrim responded with Kelly hitting a late free to see both sides register three points apiece at the break.
McCabe hit his third point for Leitrim as they led by one on 40 minutes, but Duffy responded immediately for the hosts, hitting five in the second half.
A late Kelly goal chance for Leitrim was brilliantly defended by substitute Dante Currid. Leitrim were reduced to 14 men late on, as Jack Moolick, already on a yellow card, was black-carded for a challenge on Conor McDonagh.
Patrick Brady then overturned possession and substitute Conor Langan was fouled, with Duffy slotting over the winner.
SCORERS – Sligo: N Duffy 0-6 (5f); M Clifford, M Walsh, A Healy (f) 0-1 each. Leitrim: J Kelly 0-5 (3f, m); D McCabe 0-3 (2f).
SLIGO: G Cummins, C Murray, N Phillips, S Murphy, J Lavin (C), A Lillie, P Brady, C Nicholson, C McDonagh, D Woodrow, M Walsh, N Duffy, C Gilligan, A Feeney, M Clifford. Subs: D Currid for Murphy (40), C Langan for Walsh (43), A Healy for Feeney (59).
LEITRIM: S. Carolan-Morris, N Torsney, O Foley, L Fitzsimons, S Bohan, L Braam Farrell, B McBride, C Moran, G Curley, K Gethins, J Kelly, G Gallagher, C Reynolds, J Moolick, D McCabe. Subs: R O'Rourke for Reynolds (48), K Russell for Curley (53).
Referee: Garyown McMahon (Mayo).
