Sligo county football team

Gaelic football team

Sligo

Sport:| Football
Irish:| Sligeach
Nickname(s):| The Yeats men
County board:| Sligo GAA
Manager:| Vacant
Captain:| Niall Murphy[1]
Home venue(s):| Markievicz Park, Sligo
Recent competitive record
Current All-Ireland status:| Connacht (QF) in 2025
Last championship title:| None
Current NFL Division:| 3 (5th in 2025)
Last league title:| None

First colours

Second colours

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The Sligo county football team (/ˈslaɪɡoʊ/ SLY-goh) represents Sligo in men's Gaelic football and is governed by Sligo GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the Connacht Senior Football Championship and the National Football League.

Sligo's home ground is Markievicz Park, Sligo. The team's manager is vacant.

The team last won the Connacht Senior Championship in 2007, but has never won the All-Ireland Senior Championship or the National League.

According to Martin Breheny, Sligo routinely has a ranking within the bottom sixteen of county football teams.[2]

## Panel

[edit]

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2025)

|

Team as per Sligo vs New York in the Connacht SFC quarter-final, 17 April 2022

| No.  | Player  | Position  | Club

|
|
|

1  | Aidan Devaney | Goalkeeper | Calry–St Joseph's
2  | Mark Walsh  | Right corner-back | Owenmore Gaels
3  | Evan Lyons | Full-back | Shamrock Gaels
4  | Paul McNamara  | Left corner-back | St John's
5  | Nathan Mullen  | Right half-back | Coolaney/Mullinabreena
6  | Darragh Cummins  | Centre-back | Calry–St Joseph's
7  | Paul Kilcoyne  | Left half-back | St Mary's
8  | Seán Carrabine | Midfield | Castleconnor
9  | Peter Laffey  | Midfield | Coolera–Strandhill
10  | Keelan Cawley (c)RET | Right half-forward | Coolera–Strandhill
11  | Niall Murphy  | Centre-forward | Coolera–Strandhill
12  | Luke Towey  | Left half-forward | Naomh Molaise Gaels
13  | Mikey Gordon  | Right corner-forward | Easkey
14  | Paddy O'Connor  | Full-forward | St Farnan's
15  | Alan Reilly  | Left corner-forward | Curry
|  | No.  | Player  | Position  | Club

|
|
|

16  | Éamonn Kilgannon  | Substitute | St Farnan's
17  | David Phillips  | Substitute | St Mary's
18  | Pat Spillane Jnr  | Substitute | St Jude's (Dublin)
19  | Donal Conlon  | Substitute | Geevagh
20  | Conan Marren  | Substitute | Tourlestrane
21  | Connor Griffin  | Substitute | Calry–St Joseph's
22  | Ray Donnelly  | Substitute | Coolaney/Mullinabreena
23  | Barry Gorman  | Substitute | Coolaney/Mullinabreena
24  | Kenny Gavigan  | Substitute | Tourlestrane
25  | Gavin Gorman  | Substitute | Coolaney/Mullinabreena

INJ Player has had an injury which has affected recent involvement with the county team.
RET Player has since retired from the county team.
WD Player has since withdrawn from the county team due to a non-injury issue.

## Management team

[edit]

* Manager: Vacant

## Crest and colours

[edit]

Sligo's team colours are black and white. Sligo's jerseys have alternated between black and white over the years. In the 1990s, Sligo opted for predominantly white shirts with black shorts, with exceptions in 1995 and 1996 when they wore an all-black strip. In 2001, the GAA fined Sligo for not wearing its registered county colours[clarify][additional citation(s) needed] and after a win over Kildare decided to make the all-black kit its first choice.[3]

Sligo's crest features Benbulbin in the background, one of the iconic landmarks of County Sligo.

### Team sponsorship

[edit]

Clifford Electrical is a former shirt sponsor.[4][additional citation(s) needed]

Abbvie has been Sligo's shirt sponsor since the 2016 season, succeeding Radisson.[5]

Period  | Kit manufacturer  | Shirt sponsor

|
|

2011/2?–2015  |  | Radisson
2016–  |  | Abbvie

## History

[edit]

### 20th century: Two Connacht SFC titles

[edit]

Due to its much smaller population than both County Galway and County Mayo, the two dominant forces in the province of Connacht, and competition from professional League of Ireland soccer team Sligo Rovers in the county's capital town. The county football team has never been able release itself from the shackles inherent in the provincial championship format. It has won the Connacht Senior Football Championship (SFC) on only three occasions, with about 50 years between each win. These championships came in 1928, 1975 and 2007.

Sligo has never appeared in an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (SFC) final. The 1922 championship is the closest it has come, defeating Roscommon, Mayo and Galway to win the Connacht title, and beating Tipperary in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final that followed. However an objection from Galway on what is described as "a flimsy technicality" led to the Connacht decider being brought to a replay, which Sligo lost.[6] Sligo met the same fate in the inaugural National Football League campaign of 1926, beating Laois to reach the final, only for Laois to object on the grounds of a Sligo player's name being misspelled; Sligo lost the replay. This gives Sligo the unique position of having qualified for an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final and a National Football League final, without ever having contested either.

In 1954, Sligo reached the Connacht SFC final against Galway, only for an equalising goal in the final minute to be disallowed. In 1962, Sligo reached the Connacht SFC final against Roscommon, and led for much of the match only to be blighted by a sudden string of injuries, miss a 50 while two points ahead in the final minute, and then gift soon-to-be All-Ireland SFC finalists Roscommon a goal in what is regarded as "one of the great football tragedies in Connacht".[6] In 1965, Sligo reached the Connacht SFC final against Galway and gained a seven-point lead, only for one of its players to be "mysteriously sent to the full-forward spot", causing "the entire team [to lose] momentum" and the match.[6]

The county Vocational Schools team reached two All-Ireland finals in 1962 and 1963, losing both to Dublin City.

In 1975, Sligo won the Connacht SFC for the first time since 1928.[7]

### 2001–2007: All-Ireland SFC qualifiers and third Connacht SFC title

[edit]

Following the 2001 introduction to the All-Ireland SFC of a qualifier system for teams eliminated from its provincial championship, Sligo — despite historically having a poor record — has had some modest, though noteworthy, success. The revised format, together with a prolonged period of competing in Division 1 of the National Football League, helped bring about an upward turn in the county team's fortunes. In 2002, having narrowly lost the Connacht SFC final to Galway (the defending All-Ireland SFC champions), Sligo went on to defeat Tyrone at Croke Park, turning over a seven-point deficit in the process.[citation needed] A similar comeback against the eventual All-Ireland champions Armagh two weeks later led to a replay, but Sligo's run was halted when it had claims for a penalty in injury time of the second game turned down.

On 8 July 2007, Sligo claimed the Connacht SFC for the first time since 1975 with a one-point victory over Galway.

### 2007–2018: Series of outside managers

[edit]

Tommy Jordan, who had led Crossmolina Deel Rovers to the 2001 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship, took over as manager.[8] The following year the county was trashed by Mayo while trying to retain its Connacht title and ended up in the Tommy Murphy Cup, after a league campaign that had brought relegation to Division 4. Because Sligo had been relegated, the GAA forced the reigning Connacht champions to participate in the Tommy Murphy Cup instead of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers when it had exited the provincial championship; the county's exit to London in that competition after many players (including the county's most prominent, Eamonn O'Hara) declined to participate, was swiftly followed by Jordan's resignation.[9] O'Hara said he was embarrassed by the team's rapid decline into mediocrity.[10]

On 27 June 2010, Sligo hosted Galway and led 1–8 to 0–2 at halftime but were shocked by an undeserved draw, ending 1–10 each. The replay saw Sligo defeat the Tribesmen by a scoreline of 1–14 to 0–16 to advance to the Connacht SFC final. Once there, after all their hard work and continued misfortune, Roscommon defeated Sligo by a scoreline of 0–14 to 0–13.

Sligo football descended to a new depth on 26 May 2013 when London dumped the county out of the Connacht SFC proper, this time, in its first game. The scoreline was 1–12 to 0–14. This was London's first victory in the Connacht SFC since 1977. Lorcan Mulvey scored the vital London goal.[11][12][13]

### 2018–2020: Taylor era

[edit]

Sligo did not participate in the 2020 championship, granting Galway a direct route to the 2020 Connacht SFC final due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.[14] Paul Taylor walked away as manager days after the county withdrew from the 2020 Connacht SFC (and 2020 All-Ireland SFC) due to its inability to field a team.[15]

### 2020–2025: McEntee era

[edit]

Tony McEntee was announced as Taylor's successor.[16] McEntee had been a runner-up for the Antrim vacancy, which he lost to Enda McGinley.[17]

Sligo had a one-sided home defeat to Mayo in the 2021 Connacht SFC quarter-final, but then defeated New York in the 2022 Connacht SFC, a fixture that was returning for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Sligo advanced, losing the subsequent Connacht SFC semi-final to Roscommon. Sligo then participated in the inaugural Tailteann Cup. The team defeated London in Round 1 on a scoreline of Sligo 3–15, London 2–16 (after extra-time). Sligo advanced to a quarter-final (Northern Section) game at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada against local rival Leitrim. The final scoreline was Leitrim 2–16, Sligo 1–19 (after extra-time), with Sligo winning the game on penalties. The team then met Cavan in the semi-final at Croke Park. Cavan defeated Sligo by a scoreline of 0–20 to 1–14.

This section needs expansion with: a summary of the seasons from 2023, 2024 and 2025. You can help by adding to it. (June 2025)

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McEntee quit his role as manager following Sligo's June quarter-final exit from the 2025 Tailteann Cup to Fermanagh.[18]

## Managerial history

[edit]

Dates  | Name  | Co. | Honours

|
|
|

1983–1985  | Cyril Haran |    | —
1986–1988  | Tommy Carroll  |    | —
1988–1990  | Denis Johnston  |    | —
1990–1991  | Paul Clarke  |    | —
1991–1992  | Paul Clarke / Tom Conaghan |    | —
1992–1994  | Johnny Stenson / Michael Laffey  |    | —
19??–1996  | P. J. Carroll |    | —
1996–2000  | Mickey Moran |    | —
2000–2003  | Peter Ford |    | —
2003–2004[19][20][21][22] | James Kearins |    | 2004 FBD Insurance League
2004–2006  | Dominic Corrigan |    | —
2006–2007  | Tommy Breheny |    | 2007 Connacht Senior Football Championship[23]
2007–2008  | Tommy Jordan |    | —
2008–2013  | Kevin Walsh |    | —
2013–2014  | Pat Flanagan |     | —
2014–2017  | Niall Carew |   | —
2017–2018  | Cathal Corey |    | —
2018–2020  | Paul Taylor |    | —
2020–2025  | Tony McEntee |    | —
2025–  | Vacant  |  | —

## Players

[edit]

### Notable players

[edit]

For individual player details, see Category:Sligo inter-county Gaelic footballers.

* Keelan Cawley, who made 139 appearances over 15 years of involvement, without winning a Connacht SFC medal, and was the team's longest serving player at the time of his retirement in 2024[24]
* Neil Ewing, who gave away the free that cost the team the 2010 Connacht Senior Football Championship,[25] after making his debut in 2008.[26]

### Records

[edit]

* Mickey Kearins was top scorer in National Football League history for many decades until May 2021,[27] when David Tubridy took the record from him.[28]

### All Stars

[edit]

Sligo has four All Stars, as of 2010. Each All Star was won by a different player, each representing a different club.

1971: Mickey Kearins (St Pat's)[29]
1974: Barnes Murphy (St Mary's)[30]
2002: Eamonn O'Hara (Tourlestrane)
2010: Charlie Harrison (St John's)

## Honours

[edit]

### National

[edit]

* All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
* Semi-finalists (2): 1928, 1975
* Tommy Murphy Cup
* Runners-up (1): 2004
* Tailteann Cup
* Semi-finalists (1): 2022, 2024
* National Football League Division Four
* Winners (1): 2023
* All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
* Winners (2): 1935, 2010
* All-Ireland Under-20 Football Championship
* Runners-up (1): 2023
* All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
* Runners-up (1): 1968

### Provincial

[edit]

* Connacht Senior Football Championship
* Winners (3): 1928, 1975, 2007
* Runners-up (16): 1920, 1922, 1930, 1932, 1947, 1954, 1956, 1965, 1971, 1981, 1997, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2023
* Connacht FBD League
* Winners (1): 2004
* Connacht Junior Football Championship
* Winners (11): 1926, 1928, 1935, 1956, 1973, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
* Connacht Under-20 Football Championship
* Winners (2): 2022, 2023
* Connacht Minor Football Championship
* Winners (3): 1949, 1968, 2021

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Huge year for Coolera/Strandhill's Niall Murphy as long awaited Sligo Senior title finally arrives". 25 October 2023.
2. ^ "Connolly and Marren reminders that limit of what players can achieve influenced as much by geography as talent". Irish Independent. 7 October 2020.
3. ^ "2001 — Remembering first back-door season 20 years on". RTÉ. 14 March 2021. "Wearing their black away strip — and subsequently deciding to make it their home strip — Sligo attacked Kildare in waves, Dessie Sloyan landing 0–08 in a famous victory."
4. ^ "Keash/Culfadda: New book on history of diocese". The Sligo Champion. 14 July 2004. "Each participant will receive a complimentary Sligo GAA kit sponsored by Clifford Electrical."
5. ^ "Abbvie announced as new team's sponsor". The Sligo Champion. 26 December 2015.
6. ^ a b c Sweeney, Eamonn (8 July 2007). "About time Lady Luck gave Sligo the time of day". Sunday Independent.
7. ^ "Summer of '75 — Sligo reign in Connacht". RTÉ. 14 July 2015.
8. ^ "Jordan takes on Sligo". The Mayo News. 13 November 2007.
9. ^ "A Brief Rundown Of Pointless GAA Competitions That No Longer Exist: Tommy Murphy Cup". Balls.ie. 25 August 2016.
10. ^ "O'Hara 'embarrassed' by Sligo's fall from grace". Hogan Stand. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
11. ^ "London shock Sligo to secure first Connacht SFC victory since 1977". TheScore.ie. 26 May 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
12. ^ "London dump Sligo out of Connacht". RTÉ. 26 May 2013.[permanent dead link]
13. ^ "London end 36-year wait for Connacht championship glory". The Irish Times. 26 May 2013.
14. ^ "Galway's championship campaign moves straight to final after Sligo withdraw". Galway Advertiser. 5 November 2020.
15. ^ "Sligo looking for a new manager after Paul Taylor walks away". RTÉ. 12 November 2020.
16. ^ "Sligo confirm Tony McEntee as next manager of senior footballers". RTÉ. 26 November 2020.
17. ^ "Former Armagh All-Ireland winner Tony McEntee appointed as new Sligo manager". BBC. 26 November 2020.
18. ^ "McEntee steps down as Sligo boss after Tailteann exit". RTÉ. 14 June 2025.
19. ^ "Kearins becomes Sligo manager". Irish Examiner. 10 September 2003.
20. ^ "Kearins new Sligo boss". Irish Independent. 10 September 2003.
21. ^ Boylan, James (10 September 2003). "Sligo go for Kearins". RTÉ.
22. ^ "Kearins resigns as Sligo football boss". Irish Examiner. 8 September 2004.
23. ^ "Breheny named Sligo Person of the Year". The Sligo Champion. 5 November 2007.
24. ^ Roche, Frank (17 July 2024). "Sligo veteran Keelan Cawley calls time on inter-county career after 15 years". Irish Independent.
25. ^ "Ewing retires from Sligo still regretting the free he gave away 11 years ago". Irish Independent. 10 May 2021.
26. ^ "Long-serving Sligo stalwart retires". Hogan Stand. 10 May 2021.
27. ^ "Banner hero David Tubridy already has more history in his sights after becoming highest league scorer of all time". Irish Independent. 1 June 2021.
28. ^ "Tubridy's record haul cannot stop Rebels but Banner qualify with Division 1 now in their sights". Irish Independent. 31 May 2021.
29. ^ "Cumann na mBunscol, Co. Shligigh".
30. ^ "Murphy, Barnes". Hogan Stand. 1 January 2001.

## External links

[edit]

* History of Galway v Sligo

* v
* t
* e

Sligo GAA

County teams|

* Football
* Hurling

Stadiums|

* Markievicz Park
* Connolly Park
* Kent Park

Competitions|

| Football|

* SFC
* IFC
* JFC
* MFC
* U21FC

* SFL Division 1
* SFL Division 2
* IFL Division 3 (ex. Div. 2)
* IFL Division 4
* JFL Division 5 (ex. Div. 3)

|

Hurling|

* SHC
* Dermot Molloy League

* v
* t
* e

Tailteann Cup

Participants (2025)|

* Antrim
* Carlow
* Fermanagh
* Kildare
* Laois
* Leitrim
* Limerick
* London
* Longford
* New York
* Offaly
* Sligo
* Tipperary
* Waterford
* Westmeath
* Wexford
* Wicklow

Seasons|

* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Finals|

* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Tommy Murphy Cup

Bold = Participated in the most recent edition / Italics = Did not

Participants|

* Antrim
* Carlow
* Cavan
* Clare
* Fermanagh
* Kilkenny
* Leitrim
* London
* Longford
* Louth
* Monaghan
* Roscommon
* Sligo
* Tipperary
* Waterford
* Wexford
* Wicklow

Competitions|

* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008

* v
* t
* e

National Leagues of the Gaelic Athletic Association

National Football League (2026)

Division 1|

* Armagh
* Donegal
* Dublin
* Galway
* Kerry
* Mayo
* Monaghan
* Roscommon

Division 2|

* Cavan
* Cork
* Derry
* Kildare
* Louth
* Meath
* Offaly
* Tyrone

Division 3|

* Clare
* Down
* Fermanagh
* Laois
* Limerick
* Sligo
* Westmeath
* Wexford

Division 4|

* Antrim
* Carlow
* Leitrim
* Longford
* London
* Tipperary
* Waterford
* Wicklow

National Hurling League (2026)

Division 1A|

* Cork
* Kilkenny
* Galway
* Limerick
* Offaly
* Tipperary
* Waterford

Division 1B|

* Antrim
* Carlow
* Clare
* Down
* Dublin
* Kildare
* Wexford

Division 2|

* Derry
* Kerry
* Laois
* London
* Mayo
* Meath
* Westmeath

Division 3|

* Armagh
* Donegal
* Fermanagh
* Louth
* Roscommon
* Tyrone
* Wicklow

Division 4|

* Cavan
* Lancashire
* Leitrim
* Longford
* Monaghan
* Sligo
* Warwickshire

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