Sligo manager Niall Carew insisted his side had made a “big improvement” despite suffering a seven-point defeat to Tyrone in their Round 4B Qualifier clash at Croke Park.
Carew’s men produced a spirited display in their 0-21 to 0-14 loss, as an impressive Tyrone strode into the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Sligo had been annihilated by Mayo in the Connacht final, slumping to a 6-25 to 2-11 hammering. However they showed much more in defeat against Mickey Harte’s men, and Carew is confident they can take the positives into next year.
"We need to get up the divisions and make sure we can compete at this level"
"It's disappointing we didn't win,” he told RTE Sport. “There was a period in the second half when we had three chances to put two or three points in it and we didn't take them, and at this level you have to do that.
“It was a big improvement from the last day. At least we were in the game and we asked questions of Tyrone. Against Mayo we didn't do ourselves justice.
"We know there's a gap between Division 1 and Division 3 teams. We need to get up the divisions and make sure we can compete at this level because it took us a few minutes to get to the pace of the game.
"I thought we competed well for a good part of the game today. We blooded about nine players this year. When you're playing at this level year in year out you've the opportunity to improve. We're hoping to build on this going forward."
