Captain Niall Murphy was the hero for Sligo, hitting 1-4 as they defeated Wicklow by 2-10 to 0-14 in the Allianz League Division Four final.
Paul Kilcoyne scored the other goal as Tony McEntee’s side edged Oisin McConville in what had been dubbed the ‘Crossmaglen final.’
Despite the wet conditions, it was a fine spectacle in Croke Park with both sides having their moments in attack.
Kevin Quinn (0-5, 0-3 frees) impressed for Wicklow as they took a 0-8 to 1-3 lead into dressing rooms at half-time, but Sligo’s greater goal threat won out in the end.
Tony McEntee’s side constantly looked to kick the ball into their danger-men Niall Murphy and Sean Carrabine and their ambition was rewarded with two goals.
The first of those was finished by Murphy after a slick hand-passing move that involved Luke Towey and Nathan Mullen while Carrabine and Cian Nally set up Paul Kilcoyne for the second.
With the game taking place on the one year anniversary of the death of former Sligo player Red Óg Murphy, it was something of a bittersweet win and Sligo’s man-of-the-match Niall Murphy paid tribute to the young Curry club-man in his post-match interview, and in his speech on the Hogan Stand.
“A year to the day. A quick, quick year,” said the Coolera/Strandhill on TG4.
“Days like that were made from Red Óg. Red Óg’s legacy will live on and for such a young man, he’s a legend of Sligo football.
#WICvSLI@sligogaa 2-10@wicklowgaa 0-14
Is é Niall Murphy ó @sligogaa Laoch na hImeartha inniu.👏🏆
"We knew coming into the second half we needed to put the feet down and just go at it."
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺 pic.twitter.com/88MRTaOdx4
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 1, 2023
“A lot of the lads were very, very close to him,” said Murphy a couple of minutes later in his speech.
“Lastly, we lost a very special person last year in Red Óg Murphy. We all miss him dearly.
“This one’s for Red.”
#WICvSLI@sligogaa 2-10@wicklowgaa 0-14
Is iad Sligeach buaiteoirí inniu sa Chluiche Ceannais na Sraithe, Roinn 4!
Ardaíonn captaen na foirne, Niall Murphy, an corn. 🏆
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#AllianzLeagues | #GAABEO | @sligogaa pic.twitter.com/22eRrPuUdd
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 1, 2023
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