Cathal Corey got off to a winning start in the Connacht Championship with Sligo this afternoon as the Yeats men had a big win over London in Ruislip.
Adrian Marren’s penalty helped Sligo win 1-12 to 1-11 to advance to a semi-final.
Corey sought the Donegal job last year following Rory Gallagher’s departure and had also contested the vacancy in 2014 following Jim McGuinness’s departure.
But Corey, who guided Naomh Conaill to an Ulster final in 2010, was undeterred and successful put his hat into the ring in Sligo.
Corey – a nephew of former Donegal boss Brian McIver – was interviewed for the Derry job in 2012 and was thrilled to get off and running with Sligo today.
“We had a great day,” he said.
“We had a gameplan coming here and we knew there was a lot of distraction with travel and in coming to London to play. But the fellas carried out the thing well.
“It was a real good team performance from the goalkeeper to the very last sub that came on. We felt everyone played their part in the system and what we wanted them to do. And we’re delighted.”
Sligo will meet Galway or Mayo in the semi-final and Corey added: “We know Stephen Coen, Sean Carrabine and Cian Breheny, them boys, we know what they can do.
“Maybe, they were a wee bit unlucky not to start. But we felt with the heat and the conditions that we had to manage our time.
“And we knew that them boys coming in with 20 minutes to go that the total pace that they have would cause London problems. They’re good players and we felt that was the best role for them to adapt to today and it worked well for us.”