A brace of goals from full-forward Patrick O'Connor ensured that superior Sligo avoided a shock at the hands of New York in this one-sided Connacht championship semi-final at Markievicz Park.
In wet conditions, Sligo controlled matters to reach their first provincial decider since 2015 as New York finished with 14 players due to a second-half red card for substitute Niall Madine.
Sligo had played New York as recently as last year’s provincial quarter-final at Gaelic Park – but this was their first time to host New York at their home venue.
Sligo, this year’s Allianz Football League Division 4 champions, had won all five previous meetings with New York and with various winning margins – from last year’s four-point outcome to a 24-point victory in 2012.
New York, on a high from their first-ever Connacht championship win over Leitrim on penalties, were facing into a wet day at the Sligo town venue.
The opening exchanges were cagey but Sligo immediately put a stamp in things when O’Connor netted in the fifth minute from Pat Spillane’s pass.
Sean Carrabine’s pointed free then gave Sligo a four-point cushion as the hosts attempted to use the pace of Spillane, but New York packed their defence in an attempt to bottle up Sligo.
New York opening their account with a 12th-minute point from Adrian Varley.
Sligo, who were composed with possession, moved five points clear by the 20th minute though thanks to brace from Niall Murphy, who converted a free and kicked a classy effort from play.
New York, who were winning possession at midfield through the work of Gavin O’Brien and Johnny Glynn, notched a very good point through the former after 26 minutes, but Sligo maintained a decent lead as O’Connor and Cian Lally found the target with aplomb.
An excellent point from Sligo centre-back Paul McNamara left seven points between the sides at half-time, 1-07 to 0-03.
Sligo's eighth point, scored by Murphy, was cancelled out by New York’s fourth score when substitute Connell Ahearne converted a mark.
The winners took control in the 44th minute when O’Connor found the net for a second time. He scored from a rebound after New York goalkeeper Michael Cunningham had initially saved Murphy’s goal-bound shot.
Within 10 minutes Sligo had moved 13 points clear, 2-12 to 0-05, following neat scores from Spillane, Carrabine and Lally, who had a goal chance but opted to fist the ball over.
The second half remained flat given Sligo’s dominance, and a 60th-minute red card for New York sub Madine left the visitors with 14 players for the rest of the game.
Sligo wrapped up a comprehensive win with points from Paul Kilcoyne, Murphy and Luke Towey and among the substitutes there was a championship debut for Joseph Keaney.
Sligo: Daniel Lyons, Nathan Mullen, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons, Brian Cox, Paul McNamara (0-01), Luke Towey (0-01), Cian Lally (0-02), Paul Kilcoyne (0-01), Keelan Cawley, Sean Carrabine (0-03, 0-02f), Finnian Cawley, Pat Spillane (0-02), Patrick O’Connor (2-01), Niall Murphy (0-05, 0-02f).
Subs: Mikey Gordon for Keelan Cawley (47), Alan Reilly for O’Connor (49), Mark Walsh for Spillane (53), Jack Lavin for McGuinness (60, temp sub), Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch for Finnian Cawley (60), Joseph Keaney for Lally (67).
New York: Michael Cunningham, Jamie Boyle, Alan Campbell, Eoghan Kerin, Bill Maher, Robert Wharton, Shane Brosnan, Johnny Glynn, Gavin O’Brien (0-02), Mark Ellis, Adrian Varley (0-02, 0-01m), Shane Carthy, Mikey Brosnan, Peter Fox, Daniel O’Sullivan.
Subs: Connell Ahearne (0-01, 0-01m) for Mikey Brosnan (31), Killian Butler for O’Sullivan (44), Matthew Queenan for Fox (48), Niall Madine for Carthy (54), Jack Reilly for Varley (63), Colin Keane for Wharton (67, temp sub).
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).
