The recently retired Kevin McLoughlin has been parachuted in as a coach in the Sligo senior mgmt team. Just wondering what is the criteria for joining the senior setup under McEntee. It appears that coaches within the county such as Sloyan, McGowan need not apply. Only coaches from outside the county especially Mayo should apply or be approached. Also experience in the role at any level doesn't seem to be a requirement for the job. McLoughlin has just retired from intercounty action and doesn't appear to have any experience in a coaching capacity. But sure he'll learn on the job and its only Sligo

Anto (Sligo) - Posts: 345 - 25/10/2023 10:14:41    2510172

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1657 - 25/10/2023 11:20:58    2510196

We have won minor and U20 titles Connacht titles, we have coaches who have proven themselves inside and outside the county and who know the Sligo clubs and who have no other ambition but to see Sligo succeed, the appointment of McLoughlin (No issue with him personally, this is a CV building exercise) is a real kick in the teeth to Sligo coaches. I'm not a fan of Mcintee, it's not a surprise that many of the standout players in the club championship this year are not current county panelists, when Sligo face the stronger teams in 2024 championship will we see those who proved themselves in the last 3 months there, its important Sligo supporters remember who we are talking about now and who is on the field next May-July when players with the championship character are needed. From my point of view many of the best from 2022 were not on the field against Galway and Dublin this year and I'm not confident the best of 2023 Club championship will be on the field in 2024 for County.

MrUnderhill (Sligo) - Posts: 50 - 25/10/2023 14:28:50    2510248

I hear the Donegal senior team were training Saturday morning at 6am on the beach running up sand dunes like young calves. Mc Guiness is preparing his players not only physical but mentally making them into machines. I believe he also wants an 8ft wall built around the pitch in Convoy where they train that no one can see them.

Mc Guiness is planting the seed that they are training more and harder than any other team in the country which will build confidence and arrogance that you need to be successful.

sillymoocow (Sligo) - Posts: 2 - 25/10/2023 14:31:55    2510249

First of congrats to Coolera, massive win for them given its since 2005 they last won which is overdue for them in fairness.

However for me it felt like a missed opportunity. With a pretty much fully fit squad and players in form and the great start I was surprised we didn't push on. It seemed like it was 5-2 for ages and as time went on I felt next team to score will win it and that's what happened. We had tonnes of possession in good areas and great turnovers but didn't capitalize on those opportunities. We played well up to the final third and kinda lost our way and fell into their traps. There was some great play but too much in isolation. I think threw a lot of energy in the opening and kinda used most of it up and 1or 2 more scores then would have buried them. We just didn't get far enough ahead but it was very close as only 1pt in it into injury time. We are not far away and we will have learned lessons on Sunday.

I though Joe Keaney was immense and took the fight to them and won ball he had no right to win and carried the game to them. It was a standout performance. Joe just delivers on the big day. For me he has to start for Sligo next year. My patience is done there. McEntee clearly got that wrong.

McDaniel and Doherty came good and is a good sign for Sligo. I always rated McDaniel highly because he has pace to go with the physicality and he came of age on Sunday. Fair play to him.

I thought we kept Murphy as quiet as one can so fair play to Casserly there but Murphy is a class act and came good for them.

Its been a incredible year for the seniors. The build up was awesome back home and a huge crowd turned out to support the lads. We just have to persevere now and keep everyone together on the journey.

Id like to Alan McLoughlin to be asked in with the county along with Casserly if they want to go in.

Hard to believe McDaniel and Doherty are u20 again. That is some squad with the emergence of Eli Rooney and Conor Walsh coming into to add to it.

A word on Enda Mitchell who is manager of Coolera and is the brains behind the u17s and u20s success after his successes in Offaly. Him and McGowan are clearly elite so we need to keep in Sligo and get them involved in Sligo. Missed opportunity this year not getting rid of McEntee as McGowan would have been available. It's a pity he's not involved this year but I imagine being involved with McEntee might not be the best option. You would effectively be a third wheel and some of their decisions would drive me round the wall. Canice, Keaney, O boyle, walsh, henry should all be massive boost for us next year and McEntee needs to be held accountable if he holds them back like he did this year. There are lads on the county panel that wont be playing county in 2 years time who were awful in the club championship so we need to look at developing better incoming quality players.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1640 - 26/10/2023 06:35:28    2510351

Congrats to Easkey and Coolera.

Not sure why Mullinabreena did not go for it and they will have regrets that they did not take the shackles off, still a good year and they are back in Div 1.
Easkey had some strong performances from Kilcullen, two McHughs and Slyoyan. Gillespie at 10, kicked a very good score for them.

For the senior final, it will take a while before St Molaise Gaels get over this defeat, it was there for them. If they had went in at half time 2 more points up, think the result would be different.
They had a very strong year and hard to believe they only lost two games, Keaney had a good game for them, Towey had a good first half. Think they could have similar feelings to Coolaney/Mullinabreena that they did not go for this. If they had taken one goal chance, game over.
Coolera, they never give up in games and that was similar in some games this year. Murphy, McDaniel, Doherty, Cawley, Taylor, Harte in goals - all strong second half performances for them.
Don't know Laffey but his speech was excellent and he has went through his share of injuries.

RealSouthSligo (Sligo) - Posts: 84 - 26/10/2023 12:39:55    2510425

From Games I have seen this year, players I think deserve a chance at Sligo seniors are:
Keelan Harte Coolera
Alan McLoughlin - St Molaise Gaels
Aaaron Perry Tubbercurry
Cian Brett - Bunninadden
Andrew Kilcullen - Easkey
Joe & Rory McHugh - Easkey
Dylan Walsh - Eastern Harps
Caelan Hunt - Eastern Harps
Gavin Gorman - Coolaney/Mullinabreena
Gavin Duffy - Enniscrone
Daire O'Boyle Calry (Was on extended senior team last year)
Eoghan Smith Drumcliff (Was on extended senior team last year)
Sean Taylor Coolera (Was on extended senior team last year)

We need to get some new blood in ASAP.
Maybe Hunt might be under 20? If not, top scorer in Intermediate and worth a chance.

RealSouthSligo (Sligo) - Posts: 84 - 26/10/2023 13:08:23    2510436

ShellyGael (Sligo) - Posts: 105 - 26/10/2023 13:20:41    2510440

Time for my 3rd Annual All-stars.
I didn't take into consideration the league form as some players didn't play and then you had the rubbish with the 2 points v 3 points.
Sligo GAA not doing any match reports was a hindrance to me. Please note I will name players who are very good club players but not near Co standard. I didn't include players that missed a period of time with injury either.
Intermediate
(1) Alan Davey Eastern Harps
(2) Oisin Cadden. St Pat's
(3) George Wall Geevagh
(4) Nathan Mullen. C/M
(5) Mikey Gordon. Easkey
(6) Conor Johnson. C/M
(7) Rossa Sloyan. Easkey
(8) Rory Mc Hugh. Easkey
(9) Dylan Walsh. Eastern Harps
(10) Caelan Hunt. Eastern Harps
(11) Joe MC Hugh. Easkey
(12) Cristoir Davey. C/M
(13) Gavin Duffy. Enniscrone
(14) Andy Kilcullen. Easkey
(15) Brian MC Gowan. St Johns

Player of the year Andy Kilcullen

Senior

(1) Keelan Harte Coolera
(2) Oisin Kennedy. Tourlestrane
(3) Sean Taylor. Coolera
(4) Keelan Cawley Coolera
(5) Brian Cox. Calry/St Joseph
(6) James Donlon. Drumcliffe/Rosses Point
(7) Luke Towey. St Molaise Gaels
(8) Joseph Keaney. St Molaise Gaels
(9) Adam MC Loughlin. St. Molaise Gaels
(10) Ross Doherty. Coolera
(11) Cian Lally Drumcliffe/Rosses Point
(12) Ger Brady. Molaise Gaels
(13) Aidan Rooney St Mary's
(14) Niall Murphy. Coolera
(15) Shane Deignan Shamrock Gaels

Player of the year. Niall Murphy

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1657 - 26/10/2023 13:37:18    2510449

InAroundTheSqaure (UK) - Posts: 7 - 26/10/2023 15:31:48    2510489

sligosham (Sligo) - Posts: 23 - 26/10/2023 17:35:56    2510517

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1657 - 27/10/2023 10:15:07    2510586

Good to see both minor club teams reaching the Connacht Final on this Friday evening. Best wishes to Eastern Harps and the Bally/Bunnies

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1657 - 01/11/2023 13:46:29    2511167

Congrats to Harps and B/B in the minors. Best of luck Friday night.
Last weekend was the first round of the u20 club championships.
In A, it was wins for Mary's and Curry. Harps and the amalgamation of Calry/St Joseph's/St John's played out a draw.
In B, there was only one walk over with Enniscrone pulling out v Coolaney. Castleconnor won with Owenmore Gaels drawing with Tubbercurry/Cloonacool. Unsure as to the result of Tourlestrane v Easkey/St Farnans.

I'm going to give a few predictions for this weekend and my outright winners.

My predictions

A Winners - Drumcliffe / Rosses Point
B winners - Tubbercurry/Cloonacool

This weekend.
Shamrock Gaels v Molaise- Molaise to bounce back after last weeks loss.
DRP v Curry - DRP to win in a tight game
Mary's v Harps - Mary's to win. With Harps being involved in the Connacht minor A Friday night and Mary's big win last week it's hard to see past a Mary's win.
B/B v Calry/John's - Can't see Calry/St Joseph's/St John's losing after B/B getting a heavy loss last week.
Tubbercurry/Cloonacool v Castleconnor- T/C win in a high scoring encounter.
Om Gaels v Geevagh/Michael's - Om Gaels to win well.
Tourlestrane v Enniscrone - Tourlestrane should win this one. Will Enniscrone field this week?
Coolaney/Mullinabreena v Easkey/Farnans - C/M to win this. I Imagine a lot of Easkeys best players won't be involved.

Sligobuck21 (Sligo) - Posts: 114 - 02/11/2023 14:10:25    2511303

ShellyGael (Sligo) - Posts: 105 - 02/11/2023 18:38:41    2511340

Sligobuck21 (Sligo) - Posts: 114 - 02/11/2023 21:54:00    2511358

From what I hear it's the top team into a final which will probably mean that there will be a lot of walkivers in the last round as they will be meaningless games. Very few team's have any interest in the competition due to Connacht Club games for hurlers, minor's and senior/inter/ junior.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1657 - 03/11/2023 10:56:30    2511392

muscles (Sligo) - Posts: 443 - 03/11/2023 11:24:05    2511397

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1657 - 03/11/2023 11:36:18    2511398

Sure is it really a competition anyway with the number of walkovers given already judging by website? Owenmore drew last week but have conceded that last two games and I understand why with Connacht games coming up. Ballymote/Bunninadden got hammered last week, play in an U17 tonight and are expected to play tomorrow. Yet Harps who are in same position (bar getting hammered last week) and were due to play St Mary's no longer have a game?
Enniscrone have pulled out of the competition and Easkey/Farnan's haven't played any game yet.

The whole competition is a waste of time and money for clubs as to enter a team costs the same if you only play 1 game or 10. They had an U19 competition that 8 teams took part in between A & B. Moving the dial up 1 year for November football wasn't going to get much better success.

Anyway on a more positive note good to see the two minor teams in the Connacht final this evening and hopefully they'll add another cup to their county titles. Easkey hurlers hopefully will do the business too against Carrick.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 359 - 03/11/2023 13:42:51    2511426