Sligo on brink of promotion after scrappy win in Carlow

Sligo are within one game of Allianz Football League Division 4 promotion after a scrappy win over the home side at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.

Irrespective of what happens in the meantime, beating Leitrim next week is all that is required. One would imagine they will need to bring an improved performance to Carrick-on-Shannon next week as two first half goals was key to the victory here.

Carlow got off to a solid start with captain Darragh Foley converting an early free and followed up with a point from play.

Sligo grew into the game and a quick passing movement released Sean Carrabine who drew a defender before placing his shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Carlow replied with points from Colm Hulton and Jamie Clarke but Sligo were growing stronger as the half progressed. Carrabine converted a free while Pat Spillane was also on the mark.

Just before half-time, the Carlow defence was opened up once more. While Ciaran Cunningham, the home keeper got a foot to the ball he couldn't prevent Niall Murphy’s shot crossing the line.

Having played against the wind, Sligo led 2-04 to 0-05 at the interval. The elements didn’t seem to bother Carlow in the second half. They worked the ball around the pitch but just couldn’t get in a killer blow.

Substitute Conor Doyle almost stole in for an early goal but, from a narrow angle, he had to settle for a point.

Spillane, Finnian Cawley and Carrabine kept the scoreboard ticking over for Sligo in the second period as they carved out the victory. With the game set to go into injury time, Eric Molloy broke clear for Carlow but his well-drilled shot flew just over the crossbar.

The movement in itself spoke volumes about the game. Sligo took almost every chance which came their