Molloy’s hat-trick not enough for hurlers
LONDON . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16 SLIGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
A hat-trick of goals by Robert Molloy wasn’t enough to prevent Sligo hurlers from crashing to a defeat against London in their opening Rackard Cup game at Ruislip on Sunday last.
Despite having to field an understrength team, Sligo put up a gallant display but a wellorganised and talented London side had too much firepower in the end.
Sligo led 2-2 to 0-7 at half time, thanks to two well taken goals from Molloy and poins from Alan Cawley (free) and Larry Cadden A goal by Tom Twomey gave London the perfect start to the second half and David Maher and John Reddin followed up with points.
Just when it seemed as if the home side were going to take complete control, Molloy grabbed his third goal to leave just four points between the sides, 1-13 to 3-3. However, a defensive error allowed Martin Finn in for an easy goal for London and that more or less settled the contest.
London had the better of the exchanges in the closing stages and added on four late points to run out comfortable winners. Sligo will be hoping to keep their Cup hopes alive when they travel to Monaghan for round two on Sunday next.
LONDON: JJ Burke, F Tierney, M Ryan, N Cody; M Fitzsimons, C Forde, K Kennedy; N Forde, G Power; T Twomey, J Reddin, R O’Connell; M Mythchen, D Maher, M Finn.
SLIGO: M Kearney, D O’Brien, W Gill, J Kelly; J Kenny, M Burke, R Cox; C Brennan, L Reidy; A Cawley (0-4), R Molloy (3-0), D Burke; L Cadden (0-1), C O’Mahoney, M Gordon. Subs: P Quinn for D Burke, A Walsh for C O’Mahoney
