Sligo recorded a superb seven-point win over Fermanagh, 1-19 to 0-15, to kickstart their Allianz Football League campaign under new joint-managers Dessie Sloyan and Eamonn O'Hara in Markievicz Park.
Niall Murphy’s 1-02 contribution in the closing stages of the first-half - his goal from a converted penalty - got Sligo back on track after Fermanagh’s strong start.
Both sides came into this game with a point to prove having lost in the opening round - Sligo were beaten away to Westmeath and Fermanagh fell at home to Wexford.
The sides shared the spoils when they met in last year’s competition and Fermanagh had the edge in the Tailteann Cup, a quarter-final loss that was followed by then Sligo manager Tony McEntee’s decision to step down.
In summer-like conditions - sunshine and just a gentle breeze - it was the Declan Bonner-managed Fermanagh that made an initial impact on the pristine newly-laid playing surface.
The Yeats County did not play at the venue due to the work on the pitch.
The visitors were three points up by the 18th minute, 0-05 to 0-02, a haul that included four points from the excellent Garvan Jones.
Fermanagh were dominating their own restarts and those of Sligo but they also kicked half a dozen wides in the opening 30 minutes.
Sligo, who improved with the introduction of Patrick O’Connor, who began to win midfield breaks along with Canice Mulligan, steadily began to eat into the deficit.
Points from Alan McLoughlin and Niall Murphy had Sligo level, 0-05 to 0-05, by the 32nd minute.
Niall Murphy’s classy penalty conversion - he was fouled for the spot-kick - pushed Sligo into the lead for the first time since the fifth minute.
A brace of tidy points from goalscorer Murphy meant Sligo were five clear at the break, 1-07 to 0-05.
The second-half continued to be competitive but Sligo retained their lead despite Fermanagh getting neat scores from Josh Largo Elis, top scorer Garvan Jones and substitute Conor O’Hanlon.
Sligo saw their lead cut to two points, 1-13 to 0-14, with three minutes of normal time left after Ciaran Corrigan’s score for Fermanagh.
But the hosts finished with a flourish and outscored Fermanagh 0-6 to 0-01.
Fresh faces off the bench lifted Sligo and former basketball player Cian Lally was also instrumental in this win.
Sligo: Aidan Devaney, James Donlon (0-01), Evan Lyons, Luke Casserly (0-01), Nathan Mullen (0-01), Darragh Cummins, Jack Lavin, Canice Mulligan (0-01), Luke Towey, Conor Sheridan, Niall Murphy (1-04, 1-0 pen, 1f), Cian Lally (0-04), Alan McLoughlin (0-03, 1f), Lee Deignan, Pat Spillane
Subs used: Patrick O’Connor for Darragh Cummins, 11; Kyle Cawley (0-01) for Lee Deignan, 43; Dillon Walsh (0-02) for James Donlon, 47; Gavin Gorman for Conor Sheridan, 54; Joshua Flynn (0-01) for Pat Spillane, 60
Fermanagh: Jack Kelly, Jonathan Cassidy, Oisin Smyth, Luke Flanagan, Fionan O’Brien, Shane McGullion, Josh Largo Elis (0-03), Stephen McGullion, Cian O’Brien, Declan McCusker (0-01), Ciaran Corrigan (0-01), Brandon Horan, Garvan Jones (0-07, 3f), Darragh McGurn, Conor Love
Subs used: Garvin Quigley (0-01) for Cian O’Brien, 31; Paul Breen (0-01) for Stephen McGullion, 39; Aogan Kelm for Declan McCusker, 43; Conor O’Hanlon (0-01) for Brandon Horan, 50; Brandon Horan for Aogan Kelm, 60 (temporary)
Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)
