TRYING to decipher a form guide in Division Three of the Allianz Football League is often a brilliant exercise in futility. Usually there appears to be a pattern when there actually is none. Dots join up and then they don’t.
For example, look at the two results so far for Clare, Sligo’s opponents this Sunday at Cusack Park in Ennis (throw-in 2pm). The Munster county hammered Wexford in round one, scoring 1-16 (Wexford, now bottom of the table, managed 0-5), but they conceded 1-16 when losing in round two against Louth.
Louth, remember, were heavily beaten by Fermangh on day one – the same Fermanagh that Sligo only lost to by two points.
Sligo Senior team boss Niall Carew knows that the fixture against last year’s Munster Senior Championship semi-finalists will offer a stern test – with dangerous forwards such as Shane McGrath and David Tubridy in Clare’s ranks – but he believes Sligo can compete favourably, despite a list of absentees, including Brian Curran, Charlie Harrison, Stephen Coen and Johnny Martyn.
Carew said: “We know we can compete with anyone. No matter what team we put out against Limerick and Fermanagh we were able to compete in those matches.”
“It is just to get those few breaks – and that will come. It won’t be the case in every game that we will be unlucky. We have to keep working hard and make sure we make as many opportunities as possible for the forwards.”
“I think we will have a team good enough to beat Clare but it would be nice to have the majority of the panel available,” he added.
