The Sligo/Leitrimrepresentative teamcontinue their quest forOscar Traynor Cup glory whenthey take on a strong ClareLeague team in the quarterfinalsof the prestigioustournament at MacSharry Parkon Sunday.

This is Sligo’s first year back inthe inter-county competition after along absence and having progressedthrough the Group phase, eliminating the Donegaland Roscommon Leagues in the process, they aredetermined to give it their best shot in the knock-outstages.

Home advantage in the quarter-finals gives them arealistic chance of advancing to the last four butmanager, Frank McGarry, is quick to dispel the notionthat it will be a routine assignment for his squad.Indeed, the Sligo/Leitrim boss believes Clare areentitled to start as favourites for the game. They havefar greater experience of inter-county competitionand have come through a competitive group whichincluded talented teams from the Cork and Limerickleagues.

‘We’re coming back into this competition after along absence and the squad is still just gellingtogether. We were delighted with the commitment andattitude of the players in the group stages but this isanother step up in standard and it will be a hugechallenge. Clare would be regarded as favourites butwe’re ready to have a real go’, says McGarry.

Sligo/Leitrim recorded 2-1 wins over both Donegaland Roscommon in the earlier rounds and animpressive 3-0 win over an Army team in a challengegame last week suggests that the team is in peakform.

‘Preparations have gone very well,’ reports themanager. ‘We had collective training with the playerstwo nights a week in the early part of the season andthey were also training two nights a week with theirclubs. So fitness levels are improving all the time andthere’s a great bond between the lads. The wins overDonegal and Roscommon were greatfor confidence and team morale andeverybody has put their shoulder tothe wheel in an effort to represent theLeague in the best way possible’

The squad is packed with playerswho have experience of winningtrophies at domestic level – leadingscorer, Gareth Kelly, for example, haseight Super League medals to hiscredit. And there are a number ofplayers in the panel who have Leagueof Ireland experience, among them Lee Marshall, theformer Sligo Rovers midfielder who was recentlycalled up to the Irish junior internationaldevelopment squad.

The central spine of the team is very strong withJohn Gaffney and Packie Callaghan, both of whomplayed in the League of Ireland, commanding figuresin the central defensive roles, and Marshall and GaryRooney providing plenty of industry in the midfieldengine room. Up front, Kelly, who has already baggedten goals in the Super League this season, carries apotent threat while Keith Nibbs, another regularscorer on the domestic scene, has match-winningpotential. The one worry in the build-up to Sunday’sgame is a concern about Nibbs’ fitness. He has beenstruggling with a hamstring injury recently and wassubstituted in last week’s challenge game against theArmy selection.

Other players in contention for starting placesagainst Clare are Ross and Andrew McLoughlin, CliveSommers, Alan Flynn, Noel McKenna, Sean Dunneand Gino O’Boyle. The goalkeeping spot will go toeither Stephen McCormack of Yeats United or TonyClarke of City United.

Manager McGarry is assisted by John Coen andPaul Harte, both experienced and highly-regardedcoaches.

‘Now that the competition has reached the knockoutstages, it’s all about who performs on the day’,says McGarry. ‘We don’t want to let the League downand while we acknowledge that this will be ourtoughest game to date, we’re ready for the challenge’