Richard O'Rourke on winning side as ATU Sligo edge ATU Galway in Sigerson Cup tie

Four Masters native Richard O'Rourke played a key role in defence for ATU Sligo at full-back during their dramatic 1-14 to 1-13 victory over ATU Galway in the Sigerson Cup.

O'Rourke’s strong performance was matched by another Donegal connection, as Naomh Conaill’s Connor Roarty lined out at centre half-back for the Galway men while Niall Prenderville, from St Naul’s, also started at full-back for ATU Galway.

Sligo’s squad boasted two more Donegal players in Matt Gillespie from Aodh Ruadh and Kyle McNulty from Realt na Mara, but neither featured on the night.

Despite this, Sligo showed resilience and determination to secure a narrow victory and book their place in the next round of the competition.

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The match began with Dylan Walsh giving Sligo the perfect start by scoring a point within the first five minutes. However, Galway quickly levelled the score through Eoin Mannion, with this being the first of three occasions the sides would be deadlocked during the first half.

Dara Walsh, the son of former Sligo senior player Kevin, edged Sligo ahead once again before Galway took control with a three-point lead after 18 minutes. Jack Lavin’s brace for Galway helped them move ahead, but Sligo weren’t going to be easily outdone.

Just as the momentum appeared to swing firmly in Galway’s favour, Sligo were given a lifeline on 27 minutes. After a foul on Mannion, the referee awarded Galway a penalty, which Nathan Grainger calmly converted, putting Galway a point up against the run of play.

The teams entered the break level, with Matthew Carey’s free for Sligo ensuring parity at 1-4 to 0-7.

Galway came out strong in the second half, and after ten minutes they had opened up a three-point lead. A superb long-range point from Dylan Walsh, followed by a score from the impressive Mannion, gave Galway the upper hand.

Sligo responded in the 45th minute with a fantastic individual effort from substitute Dillion Walsh, which put them back in front at 1-10 to 1-9.

The final minutes of the match were intense, with Galway retaking the lead through a fisted point from Darragh Heaghey. However, Sligo fought back with Grainger’s free levelling the scores, looking like the game was heading for extra time.

It was Kildare’s Aaron Browne who sealed the win for Sligo with a dramatic point in the 59th minute, ensuring the host side would advance to the third round of the Sigerson Cup.