Hamilton Park, Strandhill, Sligo, Ireland – Founded 1890
Tickets went on sale last week from the usual sellers for the alcohol-free teenage disco, which will be held in the Clubhouse, Hamilton Park, on Friday next, June 1st. at 9 pm. Intending patrons are reminded that this is a strictly ticket only event, so noboby should travel to the venue without a ticket. The disco is intended for Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools. A top DJ has been engaged for the evening.
All stewards are required to be in attendance at 8.30 pm.
Tag rugby, Ireland’s fastest growing sport, was successfully launched at Hamilton Park on Thursday last, when the first round of the Volvic league was played. Despite the unseasonally cold weather, a very large crowd was present, and all squad members of the 16 teams involved, clearly enjoyed their participation. All games played were very keenly contested, and the ball skills displayed, especially from players who had no previous rugby experience, were impressive.
The league continues on Thursday next at 7 p.m. sharp, and will continue for a further seven weeks. Full bar service is available each evening, and teas, coffee, sandwiches and snacks are also on sale.
Many players who departed immediately after their game last week may be unaware that seperate shower facilities are available in the club. Those who remained had a most enjoyable enjoyable evening in the clubhouse. It is proposed to hold a special function on week 5 of the league.
No efforts are being spared by club personnel to strengthen the 1st. team squad for the coming season. Already signed for the club is Frenchman, Thomas Darcel, who comes with glowing reports from the famed V.S. Colomiers club. Thomas will be a post graduate student in Sligo I.T., and is a winger or a No.13. Hopes were high that Kiwi Jordan Farrington would be sufficiently recovered from his shoulder operation to return, but his rehabilitation is likely to rule him out for this season. A number of Sligo born players who played elsewhere last season may be back in Hamilton park by September, while the full-back in 2005-6, Mark Boland, who was unavailable last season is also likely to be returning to action. All of last season’s squad are reported to be again available, with Simon Coulter, who spent the past year in New Zealand, a welcome addition. Several of this season’s impressive u-18 team will be strongly in contention for 1st. team starting places, especially Ralph Lucey and current Connacht U-20 squad members, Cathal Sheridan, Jason East and Keelan Cawley. Any participant in the Tag League, or anyone interested in taking up the game will be most welcome.
The club President and the Committee extend good luck wishes to all members of our Youth Section who are sitting State Certificate Examinations next week.
Many tributes were paid at last Friday’s AGM to referee and Grounds’ Chairman, Denis Connolly, who is leaving Sligo shortly. Denis did trojan work in upgrading the club’s pitches, and as a referee he is respected throughout the province for his professionalism and impartiality. He is wished well from everyone in the club.
Sligo’s U-13 side of next season have been invited to play in the Pat Lawler Memorial tournament in the University of Limerick grounds on September 15th. Last year Sligo reached the final of this competion in Thomond Park, defeating Limerick sides, Shannon and Ul-Bohs to qualify. That side subsequently won the league/cup double in Connacht. This year’s venue change is due to the fact that famed Thomond Park is under reconstruction.
The tag rugby league commences on Thursday evening next at 6 pm. Sixteen teams have entered, and both of the club’s pitches will be in use. The league will run for nine consecutive weeks, and it promises to be a most enjoyable experience for all participants. Tea, coffee, sandwiches, refreshments and a full bar service will be available in the clubhouse each evening. The event organiser is Rachel Harte.
A course for new referees will be held in the Connacht Branch offices on Saturday September 2nd. The course is open to both men and women interested in pursuing a refereeing career. Former International referee, Dave McHugh and Connacht Regional Development officer, Bernie Kelly, visited Sligo on Friday last and met with club President, Tom Gilligan. The current referees in the club are: Denis Connolly, James Gavin and Michael Storey, and new recruits will be very welcome.
Tickets have gone on sale from the usual sellers for the alcohol-free teenage disco which will be held in the Clubhouse, Hamilton Park on Friday June 1st at 9 pm. This is strictly a ticket only event, so cash will not be accepted on the evening. The disco will cater for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year students in post-primary schools. All stewards should be in attendance by 8.30 pm.
At the well attended AGM of Sligo RFC, held in the Glasshouse Hotel on Friday last, the following were elected to serve on the Committee for the coming season:
The winners of the April club members draw are as follows
1st Prize of €100: Peter Mullan
2nd Prize of €75: John Kane
3rd Prize of €50: Brian Costello
Congratulations to all prizewinners.
If you would like to join the club draw please complete and return this application form.
Sligo RFC will welcome any newcomer to Sligo who wishes to join the club,or anyone who has no rugby experience, who wishes to give the game a try. Anyone interested should contact 086-6019050. Pre-season training will commence on July 1st, and the management personnel for the various teams will be announced shortly.
The unseasonal weather forced the cancellation of the planned barbecue, but Social Secretary, Gerry O’Daly reverted to his Plan B, so the large attendance of players, parents, family members and club members moved to the Clubhouse for the presentation of the Connacht U-13 League and Cup winners’ medals by the club President, Tom Gilligan.
The President congratulated the players on their achievements, paid tribute to the squad’s coaches, John Davey, Dean Weaver and Gerry O’Daly, and commended all the parents for their assistance throughout the season.
Many thanks from everyone present to Gerry O’Daly for organising the presentation and for the refreshments provided.
NOTE: A number of players and parents were looking for a print quality version of the u13 Team Photo – this photo can now be downloaded here (please note that this file is quite large, 5.3mb, and may take some time to download).
The AGM of the club takes place on Friday next [May 18th] in the Glasshouse Hotel. Hon. Secretary, Michael Storey, will report on a successful season, in which much progress was made, especially at under-age level, and in off field projects. Among the highlights were the capping of Jason East for Ireland at Youth level, and the selection of four Sligo players, Cathal Sheridan [Ransboro], Sean Henry [Curry], James Wilson [Beltra] and Ronan Gillespie [Sligo], on the Connacht U-20 side.
Sligo RFC’s annual blitz for primary schools was held in Hamilton Park on Wednesday last,and was a resounding success. A record 420 pupils, who are coached by Youth Development officer, Gavin Foley, and his work placement assistants from Sligo I.T., Oonagh Morrissey and Nigel Byrne, played in the blitz. The schools represented were Mercy Primary, St. Brendan’s, St. Edward’s, Ransboro, Strandhill, Geevagh, Sooey, Carraroe, Scoil Ursula and Gael Scoil.
The day commenced with a parade of the ten schools, who all wore the colours of an International side. The YDO and his assistants awarded the prize for this section to Sooey NS. In the blitz, the emphasis was on participation and enjoyment, and everybody got some game time.
The ‘Fair Play’ award for the school which showed the most co-operation throughout the year was won by Geevagh N.S., while Strandhill N.S. won the award for the school deemed by the YDO to have displayed the best skills on the day.
All participants were treated to refreshments by the club. At the presentations, club President, Tom Gilligan, welcomed all players and teachers, and paid a special tribute to all Principals and teachers in the schools who avail of the YDO scheme. He congratulated Gavin Foley on his outstanding work in the schools, and also thanked his assistants, Oonagh Morrissey and Nigel Byrne, as well as expressing his gratitude to the blitz referees, Oonagh, Nigel, Jamie Livingstone, Martin Feeney, Niall Kenneally and Paddy Mannion. Gavin Foley thanked the staffs in all the schools, congratulated the players on their exemplary behaviour, and thanked Sligo RFC and the Connacht Branch.
Among the attendance were Eamonn Molloy, Connacht Regional Development Officer, and Martin Gallagher the Provincial Domestic Game Manager, and they could not but be impressed with the skills which were displayed. The Triple Crown Trophy, won for the second successive year by Ireland, was on display, and all schools were photographed with the famous trophy.
More photos from the day can be found here.
