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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