Sligo's Paul McNamara: 'We are as good as any team once we put our mind to it'

After previous semi-final defeats, Sligo footballer Paul McNamara has backed his county to go all the way in the Tailteann Cup.

Following the group stage draw, Sligo were drawn with Kildare, Leitrim, and Tipperary, who they will play first at home.

Last year, Sligo suffered semi-final heartbreak as they were defeated by eventual winners Down after extra-time.

Many of the squad won a Division four title in 2023, while success at U20 and minors was a key part of the squad's development.

For McNamara, belief has been the big message heading into the championship.

"We played Down in the league last year and took a fair clipping, so we knew exactly what they were going to bring.

"We are as good as any team, once we put our mind to it and make sure we relate back to the basics we speak about in training. Belief is a big thing we would have worked on.

"We were a point up with 20 seconds on the clock, a man down for 20 minutes. A crazy game that really could have gone either way."

After a difficult start to the league, Sligo rallied strongly to finish fifth in Division Three, before pushing Mayo all the way in the Connacht quarter-final in MacHale Park.

It was the second year in a row Sligo almost caused a major shock, with Galway scoring a last second goal to overcome Sligo in the Connacht semi-final last season.

Despite a slow start to the season, the Sligo defender was confident they would peak at the right time.

"At the start of the year, your main goal for the first half of the season is promotion from Division Three.

"When the first few games don't go to plan, all of a sudden then you are trying to avoid relegation, your mind does move forward towards Tailteann Cup.

"I don't know if that is something that is planned,