Sligo were crowned Allianz Hurling League Division 4 champions after a hard-fought victory over a resilient Longford side at Markievicz Park, with joint captain Andrew Kilcullen leading the charge with an impressive 1-08.
Having comfortably beaten the same opposition just a week earlier, Sligo were made to work much harder on this occasion.
Longford opened the scoring through midfielder Reuben Murray, but Paul O'Brien quickly levelled matters within five minutes.
The sides were evenly matched early on, drawing level twice more before Kilcullen edged Sligo ahead with two well-taken points.
The Connacht men began to assert themselves and struck for the game’s opening goal in the 27th minute, Gerard O’Kelly Lynch finishing clinically after a superb pass from Thomas Cawley.
Longford responded strongly before the break, hitting 1-02 without reply.
Cathal Mullane found the net following a clever assist from Ronan Courtney, leaving just two points between the sides at half-time, 1-07 to 1-05.
The hosts started the second half brightly, with Robert O’Kelly Lynch pointing from distance, but Longford remained firmly in contention.
Micheál Mulcahy raised Longford’s second green flag in the 38th minute to bring the sides level once again.
The teams traded scores in a tightly contested third quarter, with the lead changing hands several times.
However, Sligo seized control entering the final 20 minutes, Kilcullen contributing 1-02 in a decisive spell that pushed his side five points clear.
Although Mullane narrowed the gap with an excellent sideline score, Sligo appeared to have the game wrapped up when they stretched their lead to eight points by the 58th minute, with Robert O’Kelly Lynch among the scorers.
The visitors refused to fade, however.
Murray converted three frees to reduce the deficit, and despite further points from Finnian and Thomas Cawley, two late goals from Mulcahy (above) and Murray ensured a nervy finish.
Sligo held their composure in the closing stages to secure a deserved three-point victory and lift the Division 4 title.
Sligo: Luke Comerford; Fionn Connolly, James Weir, Hugh Rooney; Paul O’Brien (0-01), Rory McHugh (0-01), Gavin Connolly; Robert O’Kelly Lynch (0-03), Niall Kilcullen; Daniel Rolston, Ronan Molloy, Kevin O’Kennedy; Gerard O’Kelly Lynch (1-02), Andrew Kilcullen (1-08,0-03fs), Thomas Cawley (0-04).
Subs: Marc Harkin for Rooney (45); Finnian Cawley (0-1) for Kilcullen (53); Conor Hannify (0-01) for Rolston (59); Dónall Hanley for O’Kennedy (63).
Longford: Johnny Maher; James Connell, Sean Lancaster, Ciaran McNally; Diarmuid Caslin, Martin Farrell (0-02, 0-01f), Johnny Casey; Reuben Murray (1-06, 0-06fs), Adam Quinn; Cathal Mullane (1-01), Ronan Courtney (0-01), Maitiu O’Donohoe; Micheál Mulcahy (2-00), Dan Crossan (0-01), Sean Tiernan (0-01).
Subs: Kealan Cox for Caslin (51); Paddy Lynam for O’Donohoe (55); Stephen Murray for Courtney (70).
Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly).
