Sligo GAA
Encyclopedia
The Sligo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards
of the GAA in Ireland
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
in County Sligo. The county board is also responsible for the Sligo inter-county teams
or County Mayo
, the two dominant forces in the province, together with competing interests of soccer in the county's capital town, Sligo has never been able to break free of the shackles inherent in the provincial championship format and has a paltry three Connacht championships to its name (1928, 1975 and 2007). In 1922 Sligo defeated Galway
in the Connacht Final (played in 1923) and subsequently defeated Tipperary
to qualify for the All-Ireland Final. However a Galway
objection forced the Connacht decider to be replayed, which Sligo lost. The same fate occurred in the inaugural National Football League
campaign of 1926, Sligo beat Laois
to reach the final, but Laois
objected and won the replay, making Sligo unique in having qualified for All-Ireland and National League finals, but never having contested either. Since the introduction of the "back-door" system in the All Ireland championship in 2001, Sligo football has enjoyed noteworthy if modest success. The new format together with a prolonged period of competing in Division 1 of the national league saw an upward turn in the county's fortunes. In 2002, having narrowly lost the Connacht final to then All-Ireland Champions Galway
, Sligo went on to defeat Tyrone
in Croke Park
turning over a seven point deficit in one of the matches of the decade. A similar comeback against eventual All-Ireland champions Armagh
two weeks later set the county and the championship alive and after Sligo had legitimate claims for a penalty in injury time of the replay turned down, Armagh
went on to win the 2002 championship. Despite its poor historical record, the new championship format has seen Sligo achieve the status of respectability on the national stage in the past decade with improvement noticeable across all grades in the county. On 8 July 2007, Sligo won the Connacht Senior Football Championship
following a one point victory over Galway
. This was their first time to win the Championship since 1975.
The county Vocational Schools team have made it to two All Irelands finals in 1962 and 1963 but lost both to Dublin City
Four Sligo players have won All-Stars - Mickey Kearins (1971 - St. Pats), Niall Harte (1974 - St. Mary's), Eamonn O'Hara (2002 - Tourlestrane), Charlie Harrison
(2010 - St. Johns)
Sligo club football is not dominated by any single team with no back to back winners since St. Patrick's achieved that feat in 1988-1989.
St. Marys are Sligo's most successful club team in the Provincial and All-Ireland club series with 3 Connacht Senior Club Football Championship
titles to their name (1977, 1980 and 1983). They also won the All-Ireland sevens title in 1980. They, along with Tubbercurry
, dominated the club scene in Sligo over a fifteen-year period (1976–1991), with St. Mary's claiming eight Championships, to Tubber's three. The pairing contested the final on eight occasions, including five in succession (1983–1987), and these finals were tense and heated encounters. Despite being the most celebrated club in the county St. Mary's remain one of the worst supported sides due to the dominance of soccer in Sligo town.
In recent years St. Mary's has lost their strangehold on the county championship with Eastern Harps, Curry and Tourlestrane all claiming the Owen B. Hunt Cup over the past decade. Other notable Senior teams in the next tier include Coolera, Buninadden, St. Johns, St Farnans & Easkey.
In 2005, Coolera/Strandhill won its first Senior title in 98 years, having narrowly lost the 2000 final to Bunninadden who at that time had not won a title in 109 years.
Squad as per Sligo vs Wicklow
All-Ireland Qualifiers 2011, 25th June 2011
: 3 - 1928, 1975, 2007
Connacht Junior Football Championship
: 9 - 1926, 1928, 1935, 1956, 1973, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011
Connacht Minor Football Championship
: 2 - 1949, 1968.
All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
: 2 - 1935, 2010
All Stars: 4
In 2008, Sligo finally tasted All-Ireland success, albeit at the Third Tier level, when they claimed the Nicky Rackard Cup
, the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship for Tier Three (developing) hurling counties. Sligo have done extremely well but did not get promoted due to losing playoff with Roscommon. Paul Seevers
was most likely the county's greatest hurling playing for more the 20 years, he won 3 Railway Cups with Connacht
as well as a Nicky Rackard Cup
in 2008
, he also represented Ireland in the Shinty International against Scotland in 2003.
Under Camogie’s National Development Plan 2010-2015, “Our Game, Our Passion,” three new camogie clubs are to be established in Leitrim and a county board formed by 2015.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
(GAA) or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards
GAA county
A Gaelic Athletic Association county is a geographic region within the Gaelic Athletic Association , controlled by a county board and originally based on the counties of Ireland as they were in 1884. While the counties of Ireland have changed since the foundation of that date, the GAA counties have...
of the GAA in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
in County Sligo. The county board is also responsible for the Sligo inter-county teams
History
With a much smaller population than either County GalwayCounty Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
or County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, the two dominant forces in the province, together with competing interests of soccer in the county's capital town, Sligo has never been able to break free of the shackles inherent in the provincial championship format and has a paltry three Connacht championships to its name (1928, 1975 and 2007). In 1922 Sligo defeated Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in the Connacht Final (played in 1923) and subsequently defeated Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
to qualify for the All-Ireland Final. However a Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
objection forced the Connacht decider to be replayed, which Sligo lost. The same fate occurred in the inaugural National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
campaign of 1926, Sligo beat Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
to reach the final, but Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
objected and won the replay, making Sligo unique in having qualified for All-Ireland and National League finals, but never having contested either. Since the introduction of the "back-door" system in the All Ireland championship in 2001, Sligo football has enjoyed noteworthy if modest success. The new format together with a prolonged period of competing in Division 1 of the national league saw an upward turn in the county's fortunes. In 2002, having narrowly lost the Connacht final to then All-Ireland Champions Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
, Sligo went on to defeat Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
turning over a seven point deficit in one of the matches of the decade. A similar comeback against eventual All-Ireland champions Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
two weeks later set the county and the championship alive and after Sligo had legitimate claims for a penalty in injury time of the replay turned down, Armagh
Armagh GAA
The Armagh County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Armagh GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Armagh...
went on to win the 2002 championship. Despite its poor historical record, the new championship format has seen Sligo achieve the status of respectability on the national stage in the past decade with improvement noticeable across all grades in the county. On 8 July 2007, Sligo won the Connacht Senior Football Championship
Connacht Senior Football Championship
The Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition for the senior county teams of Connacht GAA. A series of games are played during the summer months and the final is played in July....
following a one point victory over Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
. This was their first time to win the Championship since 1975.
The county Vocational Schools team have made it to two All Irelands finals in 1962 and 1963 but lost both to Dublin City
Four Sligo players have won All-Stars - Mickey Kearins (1971 - St. Pats), Niall Harte (1974 - St. Mary's), Eamonn O'Hara (2002 - Tourlestrane), Charlie Harrison
Charlie Harrison (Gaelic footballer)
Charlie Harrison is a Gaelic football player from County Sligo, Ireland. He plays for the Sligo senior inter county football team and for his club St. John's.He won a Connacht Senior Football Championship medal for Sligo in 2007...
(2010 - St. Johns)
Sligo club football is not dominated by any single team with no back to back winners since St. Patrick's achieved that feat in 1988-1989.
Club football
Tubbercurry are the most successful team in the history of the Club Championships in Sligo, with nineteen Senior titles to their name. They also lead the roll of honour for the Minor and Under-21 Championships. The last of these was won in 1991, and the South Sligo town has enjoyed little success since.St. Marys are Sligo's most successful club team in the Provincial and All-Ireland club series with 3 Connacht Senior Club Football Championship
Connacht Senior Club Football Championship
The Connacht Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the seventy-two senior football clubs in Connacht, with one qualifying from each of the five respective county championships...
titles to their name (1977, 1980 and 1983). They also won the All-Ireland sevens title in 1980. They, along with Tubbercurry
Tubbercurry GAA
Tubbercurry are a GAA club from Co Sligo. They have won 19 Sligo Senior Football Championships and 14 Sligo Senior Hurling Championship. They have also won 9 Sligo Senior Football League titles. At under age they have won 10 Sligo Minor Football Championships and 6 Sligo Under 20 Football...
, dominated the club scene in Sligo over a fifteen-year period (1976–1991), with St. Mary's claiming eight Championships, to Tubber's three. The pairing contested the final on eight occasions, including five in succession (1983–1987), and these finals were tense and heated encounters. Despite being the most celebrated club in the county St. Mary's remain one of the worst supported sides due to the dominance of soccer in Sligo town.
In recent years St. Mary's has lost their strangehold on the county championship with Eastern Harps, Curry and Tourlestrane all claiming the Owen B. Hunt Cup over the past decade. Other notable Senior teams in the next tier include Coolera, Buninadden, St. Johns, St Farnans & Easkey.
In 2005, Coolera/Strandhill won its first Senior title in 98 years, having narrowly lost the 2000 final to Bunninadden who at that time had not won a title in 109 years.
Club Football Status 2011
| Club | Grade - 1st Team | Grade - 2nd Team |
|---|---|---|
| Ballisodare | Junior A | N/a |
| Ballymote | Senior | Junior B |
| Bunninadden | Intermediate | Junior A |
| Calry/St. Joseph's | Intermediate | Junior A |
| Castleconnor | Intermediate | Junior B |
| Cloonacool | Intermediate | N/a |
| Coolaney/Mullinabreena | Intermediate | Junior B |
| Coolera/Strandhill | Senior | Junior A |
| Curry | Senior | Junior A |
| Drumcliffe/Rosses Point | Intermediate | Junior B |
| Easkey | Senior | Junior B |
| Eastern Harps | Senior | Intermediate & Junior B |
| Enniscrone/Kilglass | Intermediate | Junior B |
| Geevagh | Senior | Junior B |
| Owenmore Gaels | Intermediate | Junior B |
| Shamrock Gaels | Senior | Junior B |
| St. Farnan's | Intermediate | Junior B |
| St. John's | Senior | Junior A |
| St. Mary's | Senior | Junior A |
| St. Michael's | Intermediate | Junior B |
| St. Molaise Gaels | Senior | Junior A |
| St. Patrick's | Intermediate | Junior B |
| Tourlestrane | Senior | Junior A |
| Tubbercurry | Senior | Junior A |
Inter County Football
In July 2007 Sligo won their 3rd ever Connacht Championship beating Galway by a single point. Previous to this they had beaten Roscommon and New York.Sligo Football Squad
Manager Kevin WalshKevin Walsh (Gaelic footballer)
Kevin Walsh is an Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He is the current manager of the Sligo senior football team.-Playing career:...
Squad as per Sligo vs Wicklow
Wicklow GAA
The Wicklow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wicklow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wicklow...
All-Ireland Qualifiers 2011, 25th June 2011
Football Honors
Connacht Senior Football ChampionshipConnacht Senior Football Championship
The Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition for the senior county teams of Connacht GAA. A series of games are played during the summer months and the final is played in July....
: 3 - 1928, 1975, 2007
Connacht Junior Football Championship
Connacht Junior Football Championship
The Connacht Junior Football Championship is a junior "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Connacht in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Connacht Council. The competition began in 1906, with Mayo winning during the inaugural year. The most...
: 9 - 1926, 1928, 1935, 1956, 1973, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011
Connacht Minor Football Championship
Connacht Minor Football Championship
The Connacht Minor Football Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Connacht in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Connacht Council. Mayo won the inaugural Connacht minor football championship in 1930. Mayo have won...
: 2 - 1949, 1968.
All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship is a Gaelic Athletic Association competition for junior gaelic football inter-county teams in Ireland. The definition of what constitutes a junior player differs from county to county. In some, the junior team is the second team after the senior team...
: 2 - 1935, 2010
All Stars: 4
- Mickey KearnsMickey KearnsMickey Kearns was a Gaelic football player from County Sligo. He played with Sligo for 17 years from 1961 to 1978. In 1971 he was the first Sligo man to win an All-Star. He is also the only Sligo player to win a Cú Chulainn Award winning 3 in a row in 1964-66...
: 1971 - Barnes MurphyBarnes MurphyBarnes Murphy is a former gaelic footballer who represented the Sligo county football team during the 70's and 80's. Aside from winning a GAA All Stars Award in 1974 , he won a Connacht Senior Football Championship medal with Sligo in 1975 when he both captained and coached Sligo the same year...
: 1974 - Eamonn O'HaraEamonn O'HaraEamonn O'Hara is a Gaelic football player from County Sligo, Ireland. He plays for both the Sligo senior inter county football team, and his club, Tourlestrane. He won a Connacht Senior Football Championship medal for Sligo in 2007. This victory made Sligo the Connacht champions for the first time...
: 2002 - Charlie HarrisonCharlie Harrison (Gaelic footballer)Charlie Harrison is a Gaelic football player from County Sligo, Ireland. He plays for the Sligo senior inter county football team and for his club St. John's.He won a Connacht Senior Football Championship medal for Sligo in 2007...
: 2010
Hurling
Sligo have not been considered a traditionally strong team in senior hurling, with the county's most notable achievements being an appearance in the All-Ireland Junior final in 1968, and the National League Division 3 title in 2005,In 2008, Sligo finally tasted All-Ireland success, albeit at the Third Tier level, when they claimed the Nicky Rackard Cup
Nicky Rackard Cup 2008
The 2008 Nicky Rackard Cup was the 4th annual third tier hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Sligo beat Louth in the final.-Format:...
, the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship for Tier Three (developing) hurling counties. Sligo have done extremely well but did not get promoted due to losing playoff with Roscommon. Paul Seevers
Paul Seevers
Paul Seevers is a hurler from County Sligo, Ireland. He played with the Sligo county team from more than 20 years. He helped the Sligo team to a National Hurling League Division 3 victory in 2004, scoring 2-07 in the final and won a Nicky Rackard Cup in 2008 when Sligo overcame favourites Louth in...
was most likely the county's greatest hurling playing for more the 20 years, he won 3 Railway Cups with Connacht
Connacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
as well as a Nicky Rackard Cup
Nicky Rackard Cup
The Nicky Rackard Cup is a competition for the Tier 3 hurling teams of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The tournament is organised by the [Gaelic Athletic Association]] and is played during the summer months with the final being played in Croke Park, Dublin...
in 2008
Nicky Rackard Cup 2008
The 2008 Nicky Rackard Cup was the 4th annual third tier hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Sligo beat Louth in the final.-Format:...
, he also represented Ireland in the Shinty International against Scotland in 2003.
Honours
- Connacht Junior Hurling ChampionshipConnacht Junior Hurling ChampionshipThe Connacht Junior Hurling Championship is a junior "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Connacht in Ireland...
:2- 1968,1973
- The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship : The Nicky Rackard CupNicky Rackard CupThe Nicky Rackard Cup is a competition for the Tier 3 hurling teams of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. The tournament is organised by the [Gaelic Athletic Association]] and is played during the summer months with the final being played in Croke Park, Dublin...
- 2008Nicky Rackard Cup 2008The 2008 Nicky Rackard Cup was the 4th annual third tier hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Sligo beat Louth in the final.-Format:...
- 2008
Camogie
Sligo camogie official Nuala Kavanagh refereed the 1965 All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final.Under Camogie’s National Development Plan 2010-2015, “Our Game, Our Passion,” three new camogie clubs are to be established in Leitrim and a county board formed by 2015.
See also
- Sligo Senior Club Football ChampionshipSligo Senior Club Football ChampionshipThe Sligo Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top Sligo clubs. The winners of the Sligo Senior Championship qualify to represent the county in the Connacht Senior Club Football Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior...
- Sligo Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipSligo Senior Club Hurling ChampionshipThe Sligo Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual Gaelic Athletic Association club competition between the top Sligo Clubs. The winners of the Sligo Championship winners qualify to represent their county in the Connacht Club Championship...