Sligo's much improved second-half showing saw them take the spoils at Aughrim’s Echelon Park for their first win of this year’s Allianz Football League campaign.
A six-point defeat of an eventually outclassed Wicklow revives Sligo’s promotion hopes as this vital result for the Connacht county saw them shoot 12 second-half points to turn things around in the south-east.
The home side, relegated from Division Three last year having won just one of their seven games, had drawn their opening round fixture away to 14-man Carlow.
Sligo were equally hungry for a result as they has been humbled by promotion favourites Laois on day one, losing 2-11 to 0-11 at Markievicz Park.
An interesting subplot to proceedings at scenic Aughrim was the fact that the respective managers - Wicklow’s Oisin McConville and Sligo’s Tony McEntee - were former team-mates with Crossmaglen Rangers and Armagh.
What turned out to be a tit for tat, closely-fought encounter began with Sligo taking the lead through a pointed free from Sean Carrabine, the first of three pointed frees for the attacker in the opening half.
The best goal chance of the opening 35 minutes then fell to Carrabine, who lashed a shot into the side netting after adroitly making space for himself following a Niall Murphy pass.
Eoin Darcy’s equaliser for Wicklow – also a pointed free – was only the second score of the first 15 minutes. Sligo, playing better here than they did against Laois, went 0-04 to 0-02 up by the 22nd minute following points from Patrick O’Connor and Sean Carrabine.
The Garden County, for whom inside forwards Mark Kenny and Kevin Quinn were especially lively, outscored their visitors during the remainder, 0-5 to 0-2.
Kevin Quinn bagged a hat-trick of excellent points and wing-forward Andy Maher pinged a tasty score with the outside of his boot - having earlier treated the home fans with a similar stylish finish. Goalkeeper Mark Jackson’s converted free in the 34th minute edged Wicklow in front, 0-7 to 0-6, before half-time.
The hosts extended their advantage early in the second-half when Eoin Darcy pointed a free – one of five converted frees from the hosts, who failed to score from play in the second period. Sligo, with the advantage of the slight breeze, found their groove and kicked three points without reply to go 0-10 to 0-8 in front by the 45th minute.
Sean Carrabine kicked a fine point after a neat combination involving himself, Patrick O’Connor and Niall Murphy, while Pat Spillane’s point after a strong surge was another notable moment for the visitors.
The Markievicz County were also winning more possession from kick-outs, both their own and those of Wicklow.
A pointed free from Mark Kenny brought Wicklow to within a point of Sligo, 0-10 to 0-9, with 21 minutes of normal time left. But Wicklow were never that close again as Sligo responded with a series of good points to put the game beyond Wicklow’s reach.
Niall Murphy almost scored a goal for Sligo with an acrobatic flick from a David Quinn pass but the effort was just wide.
Wicklow were denied a goal by the upright in the 60th minute when Padraig O’Toole’s close-range shot came off the woodwork, flew across the goal and back into play.
The home side were further frustrated in the last minute when substitute Cillian McDonald diverted Mark Kenny’s underhit shot goalwards only for Sligo goalkeeper Daniel Lyons to pull off a fine stop.
Sligo substitute Alan Reilly wrapped up his side’s scoring with a point in stoppage time after a well-crafted move that involved Sean Carrabine, excellent throughout, Darragh Cummins and Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch.
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-2, 2f), Tom Moran, Eoin Murtagh, Malachy Stone, Zach Cullen, Paul McLoughlin, Patrick O'Keane, Padraig O’Toole (c), Jack Kirwan, Andy Maher (0-2), Dean Healy, Cathal Baker, Mark Kenny (0-3, 3f), Kevin Quinn (0-3), Eoin Darcy (0-2, 2f)
Subs used: Rory Stokes for Jack Kirwan, 28; Eddie Doyle for Eoin Darcy, 41; Cillian McDonald for Andy Maher, 55; Karl Furlong for Paul McLoughlin, 63; Joe Prendergast for Cathal Baker, 63
Sligo: Daniel Lyons, Nathan Mullen, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons, Luke Towey (0-1), Darragh Cummins (0-1), Paul McNamara, Paul Kilcoyne, Pat Spillane (0-2), Cian Lally, Sean Carrabine (0-4, 3f), David Quinn (0-1), Mikey Gordon (0-1), Patrick O’Connor (0-3), Niall Murphy (c) (0-4, 3f)
Subs used: Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch for Mikey Gordon, 56; Finnian Cawley for David Quinn, 61; Alan Reilly (0-1) for Pat Spillane, 64; Donal Conlon for Patrick O’Connor, 70+1
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)
