After steering his side to the Nicky Rackard Cup, Sligo hurling manager Mickey Galvin admitted that the chance to play in a final at Croke Park provided his players with a huge incentive to progress in the third-tier competition. The Yeats' hurlers endured a torrid league campaign under former manager Frank Burke, losing all five of their games, but since Galvin took the job in April the team has had a massive turn around. "The possibility of playing in Croke Park in the Nicky Rackard Cup final proved a huge incentive for the players," said Galvin. "We tried to make the set-up as professional as possible, and bit by bit the players regained their confidence. As well, it was a big help that under the twinning of counties arrangement, we got great help from Offaly players Brian Mullins and Brian Carroll." Full-forward Keith Raymond scored 1-8 from play in the win over Louth on Sunday and Galvin was quick to laud the forward's abilities after the game. "Keith is a very athletic type of a player who keeps himself in excellent physical condition," said Galvin. He is an outstanding target man, and his pace and ball control makes it very difficult for any back line to contain him." Sligo will now face Roscommon next weekend to decide who will play in the Christy Ring Cup next summer, after the Rossies put their status in the second-tier in jeopardy when lost out to London at Portlaoise at the weekend. Tweet

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