Despite losing their opening game against London, Sligo hurlers have reached the semi-final of the Nicky Rackard Cup, courtesy of an impressive win over Louth at Pearse Park, Longford, on Saturday last.

In a repeat of the 2008 final, which ended in an historic victory for Sligo, the Yeats County produced a determined performance to see off the challenge of the ‘Wee’ county. They now meet Armagh in the semi-final at Breffni Park on Saturday next.

Gerard Smyth opened Louth’s account with a short free barely a minute into the game. Herrity then converted his first free from 40m. Possession was won and lost by both sides until Colin Herrity sent a long high ball into Louth’s goal area and Larry Cadden raised the green flag at almost the five minute mark. This was followed almost immediately by a Robert Molloy point he having caught full back Aidan Carters puck out. Louth responded in kind first with a Gerard Smyth point and then a tussle in the Sligo goal mouth saw Kevin McNally scoring a goal after receiving a pass from Wesley Morrissey. Gerard Smyth converted a free on 9 minutes in Louth’s most productive period.

Louth’s slender lead was short lived and Robert Molloy once again converted from a ball caught from their puck out. Colin Herrity scored 4 points in the next ten minutes, one from play, to Louth’s single Kevin McNally point. Two more Herrity points from frees and a yellow card for Diarmuid Murphy took the action to 25 minutes when Shane Fennell scored a nice point from play for the "wee" County. Smyth and Herrity traded points from frees but another Molloy effort was badly off target.

At 30 minutes there was action in the Sligo goal mouth but a square ball infringement averted the danger. A Louth side line puck was intercepted by Sligo and Robert Molloy struck for goal when he received the pass. The shot would have gone wide of the post but for Larry Cadden who flicked the ball into the back of the net. Again Colin Herrity and Gerard Smyth traded points from frees and a back, John Kelly finished off the scoring for Sligo in the half with a well taken point from play.

Louth had the wind at their backs as the play resumed after the break and they got off to a dream start when a Gerard Smyth effort came off the post and Shane Fennel found the back of the net with the rebound. Liam Reidy retaliated with a great score from a sideline puck and Mark Kearney made two great saves to steady nerves. At ten minutes Colin Herrity scored yet another long distance free. Louth made two changes and Sligo brought on Nial Cadden but the "wee" County kept in touch with two more points a Gerard Smyth free and a two lovely Diarmuid Murphy points the second of which was near enough to have a shot on goal.

Colin Herrity scored from a 65 and a Louth 65 a few minutes later dropped short but the danger was dealt with by Mark Kearney and his backs.Shane Fennell, Kevin McNally and Gerard Smyth(f) recorded points and at the half hour mark the score was 2-15 to 2-14 in Sligo’s favour.Yet again Herrity and Smyth traded points from frees. Mark Kearney didn’t feel that Fennell’s point had actually gone over and after protracted discussions with the umpire he received a yellow card. It didn’t affect his game as he made three fine clearances before the contest was over.

A mistake with a Louth free saw Sligo gaining possession and this resulted in a Damian Burke point. Louth were still looking for a result and in the final minutes the Sligo defence was under enormous pressure. Damien Burke put the contest beyond doubt, however, with a well taken goal and he ended the scoring for the evening with a point from play.