Monthly Archive for April, 2007

Impressive U-13's Bring Home The Silverware

Published on April 30, 2007 in Match Reports, News, Photos and Youth. 2 Comments

Sligo 38 :: Creggs 5

Sligo gave a very impressive display when they scored a clear-cut victory over Creggs in the Connacht U-13 Cup final in the Galway Sportsgrounds on Sunday last. Both sides entered this game following outstanding semi-final performances, with Creggs causing a major surprise when they defeated Galwegians, while Sligo showed their quality with a 19-0 win over Buccaneers.

Creggs had the benefit of the strong breeze in the opening half, but it was Sligo who dominated the exchanges, as they camped in the losers’ territory for long periods. The Sligo pack dominated, so their backs received a plentiful supply of quality ball. The star of the pack was undoubtedly second row, Diarmuid O’Dowd-Hill, who gave a ‘man of the match’ display in the second row. His line-out work and ball carrying were exceptional, and he capped a superb performance by scoring two tries.

Continue reading ‘Impressive U-13's Bring Home The Silverware’

Connacht Cap

Published on April 30, 2007 in News and Senior. Closed

Jamie Livingstone, who received the Senior Player of the Year award at the recent club dinner dance, gave an outstanding display for Connacht in last Saturday’s junior inter-provincial game against Ulster in Westport. Andrew Feeney also impressed when he came off the bench in the second half.

Sympathy

Published on April 30, 2007 in Membership and News. Closed

The club President, Tom Gilligan, and the committee, extend deepest sympathy to club member, and Sligo Grammar School coach, James Gavin on the death of his mother which occurred at Creggs, Co.Galway on Friday last.

They also express deepest sympathy to club member, Hugh Dockry, on the untimely death of his brother Pat at the week-end. The late Pat was a former Sligo football captain.

Committee Meeting

Published on April 30, 2007 in Committee and News. Closed

The May monthly meeting of Sligo RFC will be held on Tuesday next, May 8th at 8 pm in Bree’s bar, Strandhill.This is the last meeting before the AGM, and a number of important items are on the agenda.

Blitz For Primary Schools

Published on April 30, 2007 in Events, Fixtures, Juvenile and News. Closed

A rugby blitz for the ten primary schools who avail of the coaching of Youth Development Officer, Gavin Foley, and his Sligo I.T. assistants, Oonagh Morrissey and Nigel Byrne will be held in Hamilton Park on Wednesday, May 9th. The blitz will run from 9.30 a.m. until 1p.m.

Humphreys A Very Popular Guest

Published on April 23, 2007 in Events, News and Photos. Closed

David Humpreys with Tom Gilligan

72 times capped and former Ireland out-half, David Humphreys made a very favourable impression when he was club President, Tom Gilligan’s special guest speaker at the annual Sligo RFC dinner in the Sligo Park hotel on Saturday evening last. David captivated everybody present with a superb address, when he spoke of the joys, trials and tribulations of being a professional rugby player. His speech was laced with anecdotes and wit, and his popularity can be gauged from the long queues who waited patiently for photographs and autographs after the dinner.

Among the capacity attendance were the President of the Connacht Branch, Sean Calleary [Ballina RFC], George Hamlet, the club’s oldest member, and the Mayor of Sligo, Colr. Tom MacSharry. Other guests included the Chairman of the Co. Sligo GAA Board, John Murphy and his wife, Ailish, while John Kent from the Sligo team’s management was also present. The political world was represented by the presence of Oireachtas members, Jimmy Devins TD, John Perry TD, and Senator Geraldine Feeney, while General Election canditates, Imelda Henry and Michael Commiskey were also in attendance.

A special presentation was made to Jason East in recognition of his selection on the Ireland Youth team. Cathal Sheridan won the Youth Player of the Year Award, Jamie Livingstone, the Senior Player Award, while the Frank Feeney Award for Clubperson of the Year went to John Kane. The Hall of Fame Award, which was introduced for the first time this year, was won by Alan McMeekin.

The club President welcomed the guests and everyone present, thanked all who worked on behalf of the club in whatever capacity, and expressed his deepest gratitude to the club’s main sponsors, Martin Reilly Motors, Kevinsfort Limited, Infacta.Com and Anglo Irish Bank, as well as to the club’s other valued sponsors.

U-13's Play In Cup Final On Sunday

Published on April 23, 2007 in Fixtures, News and Youth. Closed

Sligo’s U-13 side will bring the curtain down on the season when they play Creggs in the Connacht u-13 Cup final in the Sportsgrounds on Sunday next [Kick-off 1 pm] Sligo qualified for the final following very impressive victories over Corinthians and Buccaneers, while Creggs created a major upset when they defeated Galwegians in the semi-final. Sligo have a very well balanced side, and their outstanding display early in the season in reaching the final of the Pat Lawler tournament in Thomond Park is testimony to the talent in the side, but coaches, John Davey, Dean Weaver and Gerry O’Daly will be emphasising to the squad that Creggs are going to be formidable opponents.

U-14's Cup Final Report

Published on April 23, 2007 in Match Reports, News and Youth. Closed

Sligo 5 ::Buccaneers 20

Sligo’s U-14 side a very spirited display in last Saturday’s Connacht U-14 Cup final against Buccaneers in the Sportsgrounds ,before losing by a 15 point margin [20-5].

When these sides met in the league final on February 18th last, Buccaneers scored a runaway 50-10 victory, but on this occasion they were made to fight hard to gain the spoils. Great credit for this goes to coach, Michael O’Hehir, and his assistants, Tony and Eddie O’Hehir, who worked very hard over the past two months in resolving some defensive problems. Indeed had two very influential players for Sligo, Jonathan Byrne and John Healy, not been unavailable due to injury, they could well have pulled off a major upset, against a side which is regarded as amongst the best in the entire country. Continue reading ‘U-14's Cup Final Report’

U-16's Cup Final Report

Published on April 22, 2007 in Match Reports, News and Youth. Closed

Sligo 10 :: Galwegians 40

All-Ireland league beaten finalists, Galwegians, were very impressive when they defeated Sligo in the Connacht U-16 Cup final at the Galway Sportsgrounds on Sunday last.

Sligo qualified for the final following their replayed semi-final victory over Ballinrobe on Monday last, but found Galwegians to be a much tougher proposition. The winners were a very well balanced side, with no apparent weak links.

Continue reading ‘U-16's Cup Final Report’

400 Club Draw March Winners

Published on April 21, 2007 in 400 Club. Closed

The winners of the March club members draw are as follows

1st Prize of €100: Damien & Brenda McCallion
2nd Prize of €75: Fineen O Driscoll
3rd Prize of €50: John Kivlehan

Congratulations to all prizewinners.

If you would like to join the club draw please complete and return this application form.

U-16 Cup Final On Sunday

Published on April 20, 2007 in Fixtures, News and Youth. Closed

Following their very impressive victory over Ballinrobe, in Ballinrobe, in the Connacht U-16 Cup semi-final replay on Monday last, Sligo will travel with optimism to the Galway Sportsgrounds for the final against Galwegians on Sunday next.

Chris Nairn, Rory Kerins and Aaron Spring all had big games in the semi-final, and this trio, as well as half backs, Donal Brady and Niall Kenneally, forwards, Thomas Stenson and Michael McMorrow, and backs, Eanna O’Donnell and Patrick Hazelton can be relied on to put in top quality performances, as can the entire team.

A large turn out of supporters would be welcome. The President and the Committee extend best wishes to the squad, their captain, Rory Kerins, and to their coach, Peter Brady and his assistant, Niall Grey.

U13 Connacht Final Re-fixed

Published on April 16, 2007 in Fixtures, News and Youth. Closed

The U13 Connacht final, between Sligo RFC and Creggs, has been re-fixed for April 29th. Venue to be confirmed.

U-14's Prepare For Connacht Cup Final

Published on April 16, 2007 in Fixtures, News and Youth. Closed

On Saturday next [April 21st], in the Galway Sportsgrounds, Sligo play Buccaneers in the Connacht cup final. This is a repeat of the league final played on February 18th, so there is no doubt but that these are the two leading clubs in the province. Buccaneers won the league final by a somewhat flattering margin, so Sligo will be determined to make amends on this occasion.

In their path to the final, Sligo defeated Tuam, Castlebar and Galwegians, after a replay, while Buccaneers were impressive in their semi-final defeat of Westport. Since the league final, coach, Michael O’Hehir has made a number of positional switches in the team, and the side is now playing with confidence. Sligo are well capable of matching their opponents up front, with Gerard Keaney a real powerhouse in the loose, and second row, Keelan O’Hehir, capable of dominating the line-outs. While the Buccaneers back-line is an impressive unit, they will find it difficult to breach Sligo’s solid defence, and Killian Cox, Keith McGoldrick and their colleagues are well capable of grabbing the match-winning scores.

Humphreys Looking Forward To Visit

Published on April 16, 2007 in Events and News. Closed

72 times capped Ireland out-half, David Humphreys is looking forward to his visit to Sligo on Saturday next, when he will be the special guest of club President, Tom Gilligan, at the Sligo RFC President’s Annual Dinner in the Sligo Park Hotel. He is travelling from Cardiff, where he will be in action against Cardiff in the Magner’s League on Friday evening. The dinner commences at 8 pm, and will be preceded by a drinks reception at 7.30 pm. Among the guests on the evening will be, the Mayor of Sligo, Colr. Tom MacSharry, the President of the Connacht Branch IRFU, Sean Colleary, the Chairman of Co. Sligo GAA Board, John Murphy, SligoRFC’s main sponsors, Martin Reilly [Martin Reilly Motors], Gerry Healy [Kevinsfort Ltd.], Jonathan Hill [Infacta.com] and Jim Kent [Anglo Irish Bank], George Hamlet, who served as club President in 1969-1972, and staunch club supporter, Very Rev. Dean Stuart McGee.

Senior Players Meeting

Published on April 16, 2007 in News and Senior. Closed

A meeting of all current Senior, U-20 and U-18 players will be held in the Clubhouse on Thursday next [April 19th] at 7.30 pm, sharp. At the meeting, plans will be outlined for the coming season, and arrangements will be made for pre-season training and ongoing fitness testing.