Curry 2-11 St Mary's 1-20
Teenager Kyle Cawley scored 1-6 as St Mary’s ended a 14-year title drought when they overpowered Curry, 1-20 to 2-11 at Markievicz Park to claim their first Owen B Hunt Cup since 2001.
It was a historic feat for St Mary’s boss Tommy Breheny, who guided Sligo to a Nestor Cup in 2007, as he was in charge of St Mary’s 14 years ago.
St Mary’s were appearing in their third county final in four years – having lost the deciders in 2012 and 2014 – with their previous Senior Championship success having coming 14 years previously when they defeated Curry in the 2001 final.
Curry, meanwhile, were last county champions in 2012 – they defeated St Mary’s in that final – and their star forward, Adrian Marren, was appearing in his sixth Sligo Senior Championship final, as St Mary’s ace Mark Breheny was playing in his fifth county final.
Curry opened the scoring with a pointed free from Jason ‘Jayo’ Marren after three minutes but the south Sligo club were let off the hook three minutes later when St Mary’s twice were denied goals.
A shot from Dylan Kilgallon – son of Mayo legend TJ – was blocked by Curry goalkeeper James McDonagh and Stephen Coen’s shot, from the rebound, was deflected away from goal by Stephen Marren.
The scores were level in the opening quarter, 0-2 to 0-2, but then St Mary’s landed four points without reply, to lead 0-6 to 0-2 by the 20th minute, with Sligo Minor Kyle Cawley twice pointing during this spell.
Curry, who almost goaled after 18 minutes when Cathal Brennan’s shot was saved by Fintan Ruddy, briefly stemmed the St Mary’s onslaught with a brilliant point from Adrian Marren.
Curry stabilised themselves to get within two points of St Mary’s, 0-7 to 0-5, when Jason Marren pointed a 25th minute free.
But then came the decisive score of the opening period when Kyle Cawley goaled for St Mary’s following a 27th minute move involving Dylan Kilgallon and Liam Henry.
St Mary’s ended up seven points clear at half-time, 1-11 to 0-7, as Rory Guinan and Mark Breheny each pointed to extend the Sligo town club’s lead.
St Mary’s started the second-half with intent by scoring three early points to set the tone for a one-sided second period.
Goalscorer Kyle Cawley almost got a second goal but his 40th minute chance was cleared off the line by Michael Gordon.
Curry threatened briefly when Sean Davey fisted a 46th minute goal to leave eight points between the sides, 1-16 to 1-8, but St Mary’s control was never in doubt.
Adrian Marren’s superb penalty conversion in added time brought the margin down to five points, 1-19 to 2-11, but St Mary’s finished off proceedings with their 21st score and 20th point when Rory Guinan scored.
St Mary’s: F Ruddy, S Keenan, J Martyn, L Henry, N McManus, J Davey, G O’Kelly-Lynch (0-2), M Butler, B Smith, D Kilgallon, R Guinan (0-3, 1f), C Egan, K Cawley (1-6, 1 ‘45’), S Coen (0-5), M Breheny (0-4, 1f)
Substitutes used: P Kilcoyne for J Davey, 46; C Breheny for D Kilgallon, 53; D O’Connor for N McManus, 60; S Burns for S Coen, 60+5; J Lynch for M Breheny, 60+5
Curry: J McDonagh, J Walsh, K Morley, M Gordon, S Marren, D Wynne, G Walsh, S Colleary, S Davey (1-0), B McDonagh (0-2), N McDonagh, A Marren (1-6, 5f, 1-0 pen), C Brennan (0-1), K Giblin, J Marren (0-2, 2f)
Substitutes used: D Coffey for S Colleary, 23; A Kearns for K Morley, 49 (black card); D O’Hara for C Brennan, 51; P Durcan for N McDonagh, 56; S Cahill for J Walsh, 60+1 (black card); F Brennan for K Giblin, 60+3
Referee: Marty Duffy (Enniscrone-Kilglass)
