Egan's extra-time strike helps Sligo survive London

Sligo needed extra-time to get past the dogged challenge of London in an intense Tailteann Cup round one tie at Markievicz Park.

The winners head to the inaugural competition's quarter-finals despite hitting 20 wides.

Alan Reilly was Sligo’s hero – he scored 1-06, including the point that brought matters to extra-time.

Brian Egan’s goal in the first-half of extra-time finally gave Sligo some breathing space and they then needed two big saves from goalkeeper Aidan Devaney, who saved London substitute Christopher Farley’s penalty in the second-half of extra-time.

The hosts were favourites for this tie, having overwhelmed London by 18 points, 3-19 to 0-10, when the sides met in an AFL Division Four game at the same venue in March.

In last month's Connacht SFC, Sligo beat New York but then were humbled by Roscommon, while London's provincial campaign was ended by Leitrim.

Pat Spillane – son of the Kerry legend of the same name – made his first championship start for his adopted county.

London, whose journey necessitated squad members taking three different flights from three different airports into Knock, started with two Sligo natives, Eoin Flanagan and James Hynes, in their starting 15, while team captain Liam Gavaghan, whose dad is from Tourlestrane in south Sligo, was on the bench.

The opening exchanges were tight, with both sides content to get bodies back when the other team had possession.

London, who opened the scoring through James Gallagher’s fourth minute point, were comfortable in possession.

Sligo edged in front by the 12th minute, 0-03 to 0-02, as a Pat Hughes point put them in front but the wind-assisted hosts also kicked three wides.

A well-worked move for a London goal – Stephen Dornan setting up James Gallagher for a