Sligo-All Ireland champions! Only once before has such a glorious chapter been recorded in the history of the G.A.A. in the Yeats County. Kevin Walsh’s men changed all that on Saturday last in re-writing the record books with a fully merited six point win over Kerry in the Junior Football Championship Final at Pearse Stadium, Galway. 1935 was the last time Sligo won the title but a barren seventy-five year wait ended with a gritty display in difficult conditions as some excellent individual performances allied to a workmanlike team effort saw off the challenge from the Kingdom, who had three playres sent off before the finish.

Without playing particularly well in the first-half Walsh’s side grabbed two crucial goals and were 2-4 to 1-3 ahead at the break. As heavy showers made the ball as slippery as the proverbial bar of soap, Sligo improved on the resumption and though Kerry tried valiantly to find a route to a second goal of their own which might well have changed the complexion of the game, the newly crowned champions held firm as talisman David Maye kicked some critical scores to prompt Sligo to victory.

Maye hit a personal tally of eight points, the Curry corner forward putting over six from frees as he continued the impressive form evident in the semi-final win over Louth. Elsewhere, there were also important contributions from Eoin McHugh of St. Molaise Gaels at right-half back, substitute Niall Walsh and goalscorers Cian McNamara and Kieran Finan, while collectively Sligo were the best team on the day.

The ‘Black and White’ had a strong wind blowing into the Galway city end at their backs from the off, but it was Kerry who raided from the throw-in when their influential captain Michael O’Donoghue went forward.

However, some over elaboration which was to become a feature of Kerry’s play throughout saw Sligo clear and though the Yeats men conceded three early frees, the scoreline remained blank until Maye was fouled in the 3rd minute and he kicked over the resultant free from 45 meters.

Within sixty seconds the scoreboard looked even better for Sligo when Cian McNamara fired a shot across goalkeeper Séan Óg Ó Ciarubháin to the corner of the net after a good build up involving McHugh and Pádraig McGoldrick. The wind was having an effect on the Kerry kick-outs and Sligo continued to win some good possession in their opponents half. They increased their advantage on seven minutes when McGoldrick’s free from the left found the target.

Three minutes later, Kerry threatened a goal as Michael Murphy combined with O’Donoghue but his shot from close range was blocked by goalkeeper and captain Jason Farrell.

Kerry suffered an injury blow in the 11th minute when former All- Ireland winner Aodán Mac Gerailt was forced out of the action, but they were given a fillip a minute later when John Buckley’s high ball found the Sligo full-back line absent and substitute Brendan Poff who had come in for MacGerailt found the net.

O’Donoghue then added a point and a left foot curler from Gary Sayers levelled matters in the 16th minute.

Sligo frequently deployed two men in the full-forward line and they struck for their second goal on 18 minutes when Kerry lost possession and Kieran Finan nipped in to bet Ó Ciarubháin with a low drive.

St. Michael’s Paul McTiernan was replaced by Benny McDonagh three minutes later as Walsh resuffled the pack.

The first of the heavy showers arrived and made it tricky for the players, but it didn’t stop Maye from sending over a 55 meter free from his reliable right boot on 23 minutes.

Kerry midfielder Mike Coakley had a point disallowed for ‘shovelling’ the ball over the bar in response before Maye pointed another free.

Sligo ironically recorded only their first wide in the 28th minute prior to O’Donoghue completing the first-half scoring with a free. A minute into added time, Sligo had something of a scare when John Buckley’s goalbound shot struck a defender and went behind with goalkeeper Ó Ciarubhán sending the 45 to the left, where it was cleared.

Eoin McHugh and Brendan Guiney were shown yellow cards by Offaly referee Damien Brazil a minute later and Sligo went in four points up. The heavy rain continued during the interval and Niall Walsh was introduced for Shane Stenson at half-time. Walsh slotted in to defence to good effect and Sligo struck for the opeing score of the secondhalf when David Maye converted another free on two minutes.

O’Donoghue replied with a free from the right for Kerry with McGoldrick getting his second score in the 36th minute, kicking a left foot free from the hands after Cian McNamara was fouled. Sligo were now moving the ball with purpose and two minutes later Maye started and finished a move also involving Finan and McNamara with a well taken point.

Kerry’s bid to get back into the game was not helped by two quick wides from O’Donoghue and Murphy. Right half-back Eamon Hickson did score on 15 minutes and John Buckley’s shot was blocked down in the square.

The first sending off came four minutes later when Guiney was shown a second yellow and mandatory red card for a reckless challenge on Finan. Maye took the free to make it 2-8 to 1-5 at that juncture.

Substitute Alan Fitzgerald pointed from play, but Kerry again posted two quick wides with O’Donoghue kicking behind after a five-man move and Gary Sayers also sending a left footed free wide with six minutes of normal time remaining.

Joe Quinn of Shamrock Gaels replaced McGoldrick as the decider entered its final phase and an excellent score from under-21 player Fitzgerald put four points between the teams.

Sligo hadn’t scored since the 19th minute and with three minutes additional time signalled, David Maye removed any anxiety by kicking a point. Kerry’s second dismissal came when substitute Colin O’Mahony picked up a second yellow card and Michael Murphy suffered a similar fate shortly afterwards.

With the Sligo fans hailing their heroes, David Maye capped a memorable campaign by kicking over a 63rd minute free for the celebrations to commence.

SLIGO: Jason Farrell (Owenmore Gaels), Donal McLynn (St. John’s), David Rooney (St. John’s), Luke Bree (Coolera/ Strandhill), Eoin McHugh (St. Molaise Gaels), Adrian McIntyre (Tourlestrane), Kevin Gallagher (Eastern Harps), James Murphy (St. John’s), Paul McTiernan (St. Michael’s), Kieran Finan (Coolaney/ Mullinabreena), Pádraig McGoldick (St. Michael’s), Brendan Egan (Tourlestrane), Cian McNamara (St. John’s), Shane Stenson (St. John’s), David Maye (Curry). Subs- Benny McDonagh (Tubbercurry) for McTiernan (21 mins), Niall Walsh (St. John’s for Stenson (h.t.), Joe Quinn (Shamrock Gaels) for McGoldrick (56 mins).

Scorers-D. May3 (0-8), C. McNamara, K. Finan (1-0 each), P. McGoldrick (0-2).

KERRY: Séan Óg Ó Ciarubháin, Gavin O’Connor, Fergal Griffin, Aidan Cahill, Eamon Hickson, Adrian Greaney, Brendan Guiney, Mike Coakley, Don Murphy, Michael Murphy, Michael O’Donoghue, Alan O’Sullivan, Gary Sayers, Aodán Mac Gearailt, John Buckey. Subs- Brendan Poff for Mac Gearailt (11 mins), Colin O’Mahony for O’Connor (h.t.) Alan Fitzgerald and Brian McGuire for Coakley and Cahill (40 mins), Tom McGoldrick for Buckley (59 mins). Scorers-B. Poff (1-0), M. O’Donoghue (0-3), A. Fitzgerald (0-2), G. Sayers, E. Hickson (0-1 each).

Referee: Damien Brazil