The Sligo U14 county hurlers won the Connacht hurling Feile recently. It is the first time the county’s history to win the Feile and it continues the rise of hurling within the Sligo. Backboned by the Feile Na Gael winning Naomh Eoin team who won the All Ireland competition and with a few good training sessions under their belts the team entered the feile in a positive frame of mind.

Pitted against Leitrim in the first game, a Leitrim side who themselves had a Feile Na Gael winning club amongst their ranks, Sligo won the toss and Captain Stephen Henry decided to play into a stiff first half breeze. An early goal from centre forward Paul Kilcoyne and a good point on the run from Coolera/Strandhill's Adam Murphy settled some early nerves. Strong defensive play from halfback Donal Conlon, Matthew Cosgrove and Liam Ryan and the assured Vincent Corcoran at full back kept the Leitrim attack at bay.

A second goal from the powerful Conan O Donnell at full forward and some great points on the move from forwards Patrick Burke after a good low delivery from Ryan, Kevin Banks from 50 yards and one each from Ger O Kelly Lynch and Adam Murphy, his second left the half time score Sligo 2.05, Leitrim 0.1.

The Leitrim score coming from a 30 metre free. The second half started as the first half finished – with Sligo on top in almost all positions of the pitch. An early goal from Conan O Donnell and some neat point taking from Paul Kilcoyne and substitutes Sean Heaney and Brendan Corcoran from a tight angle left the Sligo team leading by 2.04 to 0.03. The long-range shot from wing forward Kevin Banks ended up in the Leitrim net but the score of the game was to follow.

A good take by Matthew Cosgrove was played up the wing to Adam Murphy who took off on the run, looking up and playing and inch perfect pass to club mate Banks who took the ball at speed before spinning and striking a lovely point over his shoulder from 45 yards. A score created and made in Coolera training ground and it was a joy to see. Sligo finished out the game with scores from Luke Nicholson and the raiding Matthew Cosgrove. Overall it was a great start to the day with each and every Sligo player working hard for each other and the team.

Final score Sligo 4.08, Leitrim 0.04 With a big win under their belts from the first game Sligo now faced Roscommon side who have traditionally been quite strong in the Feile. Playing a nice direct style of hurling and letting the ball do the work played dividends from the team as they raced into an early lead. A goal from Conan O Donnell was followed up with a second from Stephen Henry and a point on the turn from Paul Kilcoyne meant the team lead by 7 points after 10 minutes.

Roscommon kept the scoreboard ticking with three wind assisted frees. With the forceful Thomas Moran, Vinny Corcoran and the tidy Ryan Feeily manning the full back line goal chances were at a premium for Roscommon. With Liam Ryan again solid in the half back line together with Liam Henry and Jimmy Gordon. Eamon O Dowd came in at centre forward and moved a lot of ball and a third first half goal from Jodi O Reilly meant Sligo led by 10 points at half time.

With all substitutes introduced for Sligo in the second half the game lost its shape. A long distance point from Eamon O Dowd and some good defending from Bernard Fenney and Richard Harkin the highlights. Roscommon scored a good point from play but the young lads from the Yeats County ran out very comfortable winners in the end on a score line of Sligo 3.04 to Roscommon 0.04.

The third and final game was against Mayo. Sligo again started with intent and really played some good hurling in the opening half. Playing with the wind for the first half the Sligo team set the tempo and tore into the Mayo side. A good ground shot from Patrick Burke nettled in the net after 2 minutes and was followed up with a great goal from Conan O Donnell. After a great high catch the full forward had only one thing on his mind and he drove forward to the edge of the Mayo square where he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net.

The Sligo team was humming now and with Patrick Burke causing all sorts of problems the scores kept on coming. Paul Kilcoyne, Kevin Banks, centre back Cosgrove, captain Stephen Henry, Paul Kilcoyne again and the industrious Adam Murphy kept the umpires busy while further goals from Murphy, Banks and a long range goal from Stephen Henry left the half time score Sligo 4.05, Mayo 0.0.

Playing into the breeze in the second half and with all subs coming in for Sligo the scores did not come as easy as they did in the first. A super point into the stiff breeze from Kevin Banks the highlight and some purposeful defensive play that managed to keep Mayo scoreless for the entire game. Overall it was a very satisfactory display from these young lads. The most pleasing aspect of their play was the high work rate and strong defensive from No 15 back to No. 1 and indeed each of the 24 players displayed a great hunger and appetite for the battle. Young goalkeeper Tony O Kelly Lynch put in an accomplished display between the sticks and kept a clean sheet throughout.

All ten defenders, including the substitutes had their moments in the three games and worked hard throughout. Stephen Henry led by example at midfield with a typical hard working display and all 13 forwards showed they know where the posts are and showed they were ready to hook, block and put pressure on the defences they were up against. Sligo scored a combined total of 11 goals and 17 points in three games. Full forward ended up with 4 goals to his name but got good support from Kevin Banks, Patrick Burke, Paul Kilcoyne and Adam Murphy.

An early injury to forward Ger O Kelly Lynch limited his effectiveness throughout. Next up for the U14’s is the All Ireland C competition at the end of August and the players and management should enter the competition with great confidence. Thanks go to management team on the day of Johnny Mullins, Bill O Kelly Lynch, Michael Healy and Des Cosgrove.