Sligo see off Leitrim as both teams sweat over red cards

Sligo wrapped up their Division 4 campaign with a deserved six-point home win over Leitrim.

Patrick O'Connor scored two goals for the winners in a game at a sun-kissed Markievicz Park that saw a red card for each team – Leitrim’s Keith Beirne was dismissed after 26 minutes and Sligo player Sean Carrabine was sent off in the 50th minute.

Because of results the previous day, with Tipperary and Cavan getting expected wins to secure promotion, this battle of the Connacht neighbours was a dead rubber.

The only thing at stake was third place in the standings and local bragging rights.

Sligo defeated Leitrim when the sides met in last year’s Allianz Football League and Tony McEntee’s men also had the edge over Leitrim in the counties’ historic clash indoors in January at the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan.

The home side were again without forwards Niall Murphy and Pat Hughes, with a first AFL start for Conan Marren and Peter Laffey back in the team after injury.

Leitrim boss Andy Moran, who has overseen four wins from six Division Four games in his first year at the helm, reshuffled his attack – Riordan O’Rourke and Conor Cullen started in an attack where Beirne has been the talisman.

In a contest that was open and free-flowing, Leitrim got the game's opening score when Ryan O’Rourke pointed.

Sligo replied with a goal almost immediately when Patrick O’Connor netted from Keelan Cawley’s pass.

Patrick O’Connor goaled again seven minutes later – with Brian Egan providing the assist this time – to put Sligo five points ahead, 2-01 to 0-02.

Leitrim remained lively and Jack Heslin found the net in the 10th minute after impressive build-up play from Ryan O’Rourke.

The fourth three-pointer of the opening 15 minutes came when Beirne