McGowan scored six points - including three converted frees and a hat-trick of excellent efforts from play - as Sligo should have won by a greater than the seven points which eventually separated the sides (0-13 to 0-6).

For Sligo, last Sunday's game was more than a routine fixture in a competition which often fails to excite.

Looking ahead, perhaps, to this Saturday's crucial Division 1B trip to Derry, Sligo manager Peter Ford opted to use his strongest selection.

Only Noel Maguire and Paul Taylor were absent, while Paul Durcan and Ken Killeen were both ineligible due to suspension.
By the end of the game, Sligo had used 20 players - a dozen of whom were involved in the National League win against Cavan last November.

Of the regulars, McGowan was the sharpest.

Operating in an efficient full-forward unit alongside John McPartland and Tommy Brennan, the Tourlestrane striker was involved in the majority of Sligo's 13 points.

Leading at the interval (0-5 to 0-2), McGowan was responsible for three of these scores, including a brace of frees.

A margin of three points suggests Leitrim were in contention; they weren't.

Sligo simply hadn't exploited an array of chances, as six wides spoiled some decent attacking play.

Because of their hefty demise against Mayo a week previously, Leitrim's interest in getting a result from Markievicz was purely cosmetic.

However, it wasn't pride that gave them an early lead but two neatly taken points from full-forward Padraig Kenny.

Kenny's second score arrived in the 8th minute; Leitrim, significantly, didn't increase their meagre tally until the sixth minute of the second period.

Apart from diligent full-back John McKeon and hard-working midfielder Benny Guckian, Leitrim had nothing spectacular to offer.

Sligo continued to torment their opponents, and, for much of the second-half their shooting also improved.

John McPartland - who kicked three second-half points - had 0-2 on the scoreboard within 60 seconds of the re-start.

With 22 minutes remaining, Sligo were five points clear (0-8 to 0-3) and Leitrim knew they were beaten.

A Sligo goal would have warmed what was a bitterly cold afternoon. But, for once, Easkey's Dessie Sloyan was thwarted in a situation that usually sees the umpire reaching for the green flag.

Released by Gerry McGowan's clever pass, Sloyan's close-range effort was brilliantly blocked by Leitrim's custodian, Gareth Phelan.

At the other end, Leitrim had legitimate claims for a penalty dismissed by referee Charlie Collins.

Substitute Aidan Rooney - who added three points - was hauled to the ground, but luck wasn't favouring the visitors.

In truth, Sligo's defence seldom yielded, as David Durkin, Nigel Clancy, Philip Gallagher and Patrick Naughton proved effective.

That midfielder Eamon O'Hara enthralled the crowd by lofting two splendid points - one in each half - was a sign that Sligo were enjoying it all.

Derry, however, won't be as generous as Leitrim.

Sligo: James Curran, Mark Cosgrove, Nigel Clancy, Philip Gallagher, Padraig Doohan, David Durkin, Patrick Naughton, Con O'Meara, Eamon O'Hara (0-2), Dessie Sloyan, Karol O'Neill, Dara McGarty, Tommy Brennan (0-2, 1f), John McPartland (0-3), Gerry McGowan (0-6, 3f) Subs: Brendan Phillips for Philip Gallagher; Ronan Keane for Padraig Doohan; Mark Breheny for Dara McGarty (injured); Seßn Davey for Karol O'Neill; Trevor Kilgallon for Mark Cosgrove

Leitrim: Gareth Phelan, Seamus Maguire, John McKeon, Fergal Reynolds, Padraig McGarry, Ciaran Murray, Ollie McGuinness, Paul McDermott, Benny Guckian, Jimmy Guckian, Shane Canning, Michael Duignan, Fintan McBrien (0-1, 1f), Padraig Kenny (0-2), John McGuinness
Subs: Gareth Foley for Jimmy Guckian; Aidan Rooney (0-3, 2f) for John McGuinness; Michael McGuinness for Seamus Maguire

Referee: Charlie Collins (Mayo) 

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