Hamilton Park, Strandhill, Sligo, Ireland – Founded 1890
Many thanks to the 31 players and club members who took the time out to steward at last Friday night’s alcohol -free teenage disco.
The disco was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all patrons. Event organiser, Peter Gillespie, and the committee, wish to congratulate all who attended on their exemplary conduct.
The next disco will be held prior to Christmas. Full details later.
On Sunday next, Sligo play Ballinasloe in Hamilton Park in Round 8 of the Connacht Junior 1 League. After a very impressive start to the league, when they recorded three consecutive victories, the Co.Galway side have had a poor spell and have lost three games in succession. Despite their recent dip in form, Sligo will view this as a game where they can add to their league table points tally. They will miss Jordan Farrington on Sunday, as well as the long term injured duo ,Julian Ripon and Niall Draper. Prop Joe Kelly should be fit enough to return. Kick-off is at 2.30 p.m.
Sligo’s 2nd team make their debut in the Connacht Junior 2 League when they play Tuam in Hamilton Park on Sunday next [Kick-off 2.30 p.m.] The Sligo team will be based on their U-20 squad and is likely to include Ronan Gillespie, Stephen Connolly, David Kilcoyne, Aoran Tansey, Ted Mulvanney, and Colin Gorman from that squad, as well as Joe Sweeney and who is returning from injury, former 1st team players, Dara Cox and Frankie Feeney, and recent recruits to the club, Conor McGowan, brother of Connacht player, David, ex-Landsdowne player, David Greene and Jason Cairns [ex-Loughrea].
Sligo have been drawn away against Co. Derry side Limavaddy in the opening round of the all-Ireland Junior Cup. The tie will take place on Saturday December 16th. This will be the first ever meeting between the clubs, with the winners qualifying for the quarter final, which will be held on February 10th.
A welcome visitor to Sligo RFC’s recent sponsorship launch was the club hooker of the late 1970′s, Brian O’Kelly. Brian, who resides in Streedagh, Grange for many years, is the uncle of Malcolm O’Kelly [St.Mary's and Leinster], who is now Ireland’s most capped player, with 80 caps, having exceeded the great Mike Gibson’s long-standing record of 69 senior International caps in Feb. 2005.
Sligo 10 – O.L.B.C. 20
OLBC created a major shock when they defeated Sligo in the Galway Sportsgrounds on Sunday last in the Connacht Junior 1 League. Played in damp and breezy conditions, this game only came to life in the final quarter as Sligo scored two late tries, but alas their comeback was too late, as OLBC held on for a deserved, if unexpected victory.
After last week’s defeat by Monivea, Sligo’s management were optimistic that their team would bounce back and garner some league points. News that Monivea had been surprisingly defeated on Friday night by Tuam should have been a major morale booster for Sligo, as victory here would have restored the league leadership to them. However, from the kick-off, it became apparent that the team had not recovered its early season form. The pack which performed creditably last week, struggled badly, with the scrum, in particular, being under pressure. With OLBC regularly wheeling on Sligo’s put in, and even taking a strike against the head, Sligo suffered badly in the set pieces.
While Sligo’s line-out was quite reliable, their mauling game was inferior to their opponents’, so with a retreating scrum and a defective maul, Sligo rarely produced the type of ball to launch their backs. Unfortunately, the backs, when in possession never really threatened, as their game was peppered with handlig errors, which certainly took the sting out of their most promising moves.
Sligo suffered a major set-back in the 29th. minute of the first when out-half, Jordan Farrington had to be removed to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. The 20 year old Kiwi took the field following intensive treatment to last week’s ankle injury, and sadly this latest injury probably finishes his season, as he will now require surgery to his shoulder. With the score at 0-0 at this stage, Farrington was probably the one player capable of providing the guile and the ingenuity to unlock the well organised OLBC defence. On his departure, Sligo’s re-arranged attacking attacking formation only occasionally offered a threat.
Sligo, who had the benefit of the diagonal wind in the first half, launched two dangerous attacks in this period, but on both occasions their efforts proved fruitless, when a try seemed imminent. In the 8th. minute, hooker Ross Mannion was deemed to have knocked on at the line, after the pack had put a number of phases together, while in the 32nd. minute, a great break by full-back, Gary Boland was held up on the OLBC line, and then Sligo were penalised for allegedly holding on after the tackle.
This was to prove to be as good as it got for Sligo. OLBC introduced Ciaran Coyle after the break and he proved to be inspirational from the out-half position. The substitute had the game’s opening score in the 15th. minute of the second half when the referee awarded a penalty 30 metres out for ‘hands in the ruck’, when it was patently obvious that an OLBC player had knocked on the ball, causing it to emerge on Sligo’s side. In the 28th minute, Sligo’s scrum problems were cruelly exposed when they were shunted over their own line from 10 metres out, with No.8, Pete Small touching down, and Coyle added the points. Sligo now trailed by 1`0-3, but were at last matching their opponents territorially.
In the 30th. minute they conceded a bizarre penalty. Centre, Andrew Feeney having done very well to block a clearance on half-way, was rightly penalised for a deliberate knock-on, when he could have taken possession of the ball, and Ciaran Coyle landed the huge 50 metre kick. Feeney made amends in the 33rd minute when he scored in the left corner, following Sligo’s best back-line movement of the day.
However, in the 38th. minute, some very sloppy defending allowed substitute, Luke O’Donnell gather John McDonagh’s clever chip through and score at the corner flag, with Coyle superbly converting. In Injury time, Sligo surged upfield, and with the pack finally getting their maul working, they went over in the corner, with captain, Peter Mullan touching down. Gavin Foley’s difficult conversion rebounded back off an upright.
Few Sligo players will retain happy memories of this game, although Cathal Culhane and Gavin Foley tackled tigerishly. They certainly missed Warner Wilders’ scavenging skills at the breakdown, Joe Kelly’s solid scrummaging and the mercurial Farrington, after his premature departure.
Man of the Match:Ciaran Coyle [OLBC]
Sligo: Gary Boland, Andrew Feeney, Cathal Culhane, Gavin Foley, Roger Burrows, Jordan Farrington, Billy Leahy, Martin Feeney, Ross Mannion, Adrian McHale, Jamie Livingstone, Trevor Sweeney, Gary Conneally, Peter Mullan [c.] Andrew Williams. Subs: Ronan Gillespie for A.McHale, David Gerrity for J. Farrington, Neil Williams for M. Feeney.
OLBC: Peter McDonagh, Killian O’Brien, Stuart Cook, John McSweeney, Damien Connor, John McDonagh, Greg Faherty, Dermot Costello [c.], Karl Collins, John Barry, Cathal Burke, James Moran, Brendan O’Boyle, Pete Small, Rob Lennon. Subs: Jason Molloy, Luke O’Donnell, Ciaran Coyle.
Referee: Jeff Allen [Buccaneers]
The President and club members wish to express their deepest gratitude to Margaret Calvin, Carrick, who presented the club with a defibrillator. Mrs. Calvin’s son-in-law, Paul Stewart, aged 30, died from sudden adult death syndrome while playing a five-a-side game of football in Dublin two years ago. This tragedy could have been prevented had a defibrillator been available within 5/6 minutes of his collapse.
Following Paul’s untimely death, Margaret and members of her extended family undertook fund-raising and purchased eighteen defibrillators which were distributed nationally, so our club is extremely grateful to be a recipient.
There was a very large crowd in attendance in the clubhouse on Sunday last for the launch of SRFC’s sponsorship for this season by Club President, Tom Gilligan.
The President welcomed all former Presidents, Life Members, Members, Sponsors, Advertisers, Parents of under-age players and friends of Sligo Rugby to the launch.
He extended a special welcome to George Hamlet who was club President from 1969/’73 and who was recently hospitalised. The President pointed out that George’s late father was capped for Ireland on thirty occasions, captained Ireland on ten occasions, and was President of the I.R.F.U. in 1927.
In his address the President pointed out that second tier sponsors for this season were Bree’s Bar, John Perry T.D., Sherry Fitzgerald Draper and Sligo Park Hotel.
First tier sponsors were Infacta, Mespil Hotel, Dublin; Anglo Irish Bank, O’Hehirs Bakery and Kevinsfort Ltd.
The main sponsor is Martin Reilly Motors who has agreed to sponsor the club for the next three seasons.
The President paid tribute to all sponsors and said that he hoped the club’s agreement with Martin Reilly Motors would be mutually beneficial. He presented Martin Reilly with a framed photograph of a Sligo RFC jersey and he also presented George Draper of Sherry Fitzgerald Draper last year’s main sponsor with a framed Sligo jersey.
Because of the large numbers involved in training, Sligo have applied to enter the Connacht Junior League Division 2, and their application has been successful.
This side will include a number of U-20 players, senior players returning from injury and players not included on the first team panel.
The fact that only three subs. are allowed to sit on the bench for Junior 1 games means that a large number of players have been denied weekly games. Details of next Sunday’s fixture will be available at training on Wednesday.
It is envisaged that the U-20′s management team will be involved in the team management, while two others will be appointed by the Executive this week.
Sligo 40 – Connemara 3
Sligo made the long journey to Cliften on Sunday last and had the points wrapped up by half time with a whirl wind start. Straight from the kick off Michael Mc Morrow gathered the ball and found Peter Walpole in support and the gutsy flanker burst through the defence and left the ball back for the backline to move quickly to the wing and Conor Gleeson showed his strength to score in the corner.
Niall Keneally missed the difficult conversion his only miss from six kicks.
Sligo continued to pile on the pressure and were in control in every area of the park and Tighe Power was very unlucky not to score from a well rehearsed lineout move but he later made amends when he picked and drove over near the Connemara posts. Keneally converted.
From the kick off Sligo moved the ball through the phases and scrum half Donal Brady was linking well with the backs and forwards and after centre Rory Kearins made a good break and found Aaron Spring in support he was stopped just short but Sligo were patient and from the ruck prop Thomas Gormley crashed over and Keneally again added the points. It was all Sligo up to half time and the forwards continued to dominate with Thomas Stenson and Craig Admanson outstanding and from another controlled phase centre Chris Nairn went over for another try.
Finally on the stroke of half time winger Eanna O Donnell linked well with fullback Darren McMullin who’s searing run ended with him scoring under the posts, Niall Keneally tapped over.
In the second half however Sligo took the foot off the pedal and allowed Connemara to dominate but luckily for Sligo they could not convert this domination into scores. Wing forward Paddy Mannion who made some great runs and man of the match Peter Walpole were the only players to play in the secod half with the same fire and determination as in the first half.
Simon Wilson replaced Aaron Spring and Paul Kelly replaced Donal Brady and Sligo did produce another try totally against the run of play, from an untidy lineout in the Sligo 22 Wilson stole possession and Kelly send along pass to centre Chris Nairn who set off on a run the length of the pitch handing off several would be tacklers and score under the posts to kill off the challenge of Connemara.
Overall a good performance however Sligo will have to bring consistency to their game for the full 60 minutes if they are to challenge for honours this season.
Next match v Ballina on Sunday in Strandhill.
Everyone wishes James Clarke a speedy recovery
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Sligo 24 – Wesport 7
In the first league match of the year for the Sligo U-14 team, Sligo played Wesport in Hamilton park. After a by in the first match against Creggs, Sligo were bound to be rusty with the lack of match practise. But in fact Sligo hit the ground running with a competitive display against a solid Wesport side. Sligo scored the first try after twenty minutes by debutant prop David French who had a “Man of the Match” display. The conversion was scored by Killian Cox. The lead was short lived when Wesport scored 5 minutes later from a scrum which led to a break away try for the inside centre who went straight through the centre and scored under the post. Wesport also converted the try.
In the first half a back row unit of Enda Connolly, Martin Clarke and David Heath were excellent with their all round play especially their tackling. A newcomer to rugby Errol Flanagan had a comfortable game and with more match practise should become a promising player for Sligo. The sides went in level at half time.
In the second half Sligo made two subsitutions, flanker Enda Connolly was replaced by Jack Roberts and Errol Flanagan was replaced by another newcomer James Clarke. Sligo started the second half putting massive pressure on the Wesport in the tight and resulted in a run in try for second-row Caolan O’Hehir. Killian Cox also scored the conversion. Massive rucking and scrumaging by a front five containing Bligh McCormack, Donal Rooney, David French, Sean Conlon and Caolan O’Hehir resulted in a well taken try by Gary O’Hehir who played well all day. Sligo unluckily missed the conversion.
With the game opening up Sligo showed their superiority with stylish rugby from Cathal Finneran, Killian Cox and captain Keith McGoldrick. The pairing of Cathal Burke at full back and Robert Keegan on the wing linked well and positioned themselves very well throughout the game and with more matches to play they will be a force to be reckoned with.
With ten minutes to go subsitute jack maye ,who is a newcomer to the club, replaced Cathal Burke. As Wesport got tired Sligo made some explosive runs by wingers James Clarke and Robert Keegan when Killian Cox got the ball in his own 22 he made a great run up the field to score a fabulous try but he failed to score the conversion.
With the game nearing an end Sligo scored their fifth try when debutant James clarke scrambelled into the corner after some great forward play. Sligo missed the conversion.
Sligo U-14s can look to the season with optimism only if they get more match practise and commitment from all players. Training will continue on Friday at 7.30.
Sligo: C. Burke, R. Keegan, K. McGoldrick {Capt}, K. Cox, E. Flanagan, C. Finneran, G. O’Hehir, D. Heath, E. Connolly, M. Clarke, C. O’Hehir, S. Conlon, D French, D. Rooney, B. McCormack. Subs – J. Roberts for E. Connolly, J. Clarke for E. Flanagan, J. Maye for C. Burke, C. Boal.
More photographs from the match can be found here.
An alcohol free teenage disco will be held in the Clubhouse, Hamilton Park on Friday October 27th, commencing at 9 p.m. The disco will cater for 1st Year, 2nd Year and 3rd Year secondary school students. A top D.J. has been engaged. Tickets are now on sale. All stewards for the evening should report to the Event Organiser, Peter Gillespie, at the Clubhouse not later than 8.30 p.m. On Friday October 27th.
One Sunday next Sligo have the difficult assignment of trying to get back to their winning ways when they play OLBC in Round 7 Of the Connacht Junior League in the Galway Sportsgrounds [Kick-Off 3p.m.] Trevor Sweeney returns, but Joe Sweeney, Gavin Foley, Warner Wilders, Jordan Farrington and Julian Ripon are all doubtful starters.
There was a packed Clubhouse for the post match reception, when Sligo’s sponsorship for this season was launched by the club President, Tom Gilligan on Sunday last. Among the attendance were several former club Presidents, Life Members and Friends of Sligo Rugby. Also present was Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D. and Ms. Marian Harkin M.E.P.,T.D. Our President extended a special welcome to George Hamlet [President 1969-72], who was recently hospitalised.
The club’s Main Sponsor is Martin Reilly Motors, Carraroe. There are five First Tier Sponsors, Infacta, Mespil Hotel Dublin 4, O’Hehir’s Bakery, Anglo Irish Bank, and Kevinsfort Ltd. The following are the club’s Second Tier sponsors, Bree’s Bar Strandhill, John Perry T.D., Sherry Fitzgerald Draper, Sligo Park Hotel, McHugh’s Bar Grattan St. and EJ’s Menswear Grattan Street. Sligo RFC is supported by Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership.
In his address at the launch, the President thanked all sponsors and expressed the wish that the sponsorship would be benificial to all involved.
