Monthly Archive for June, 2007

New Minister Is Former Club President

Published on June 25, 2007 in News. Closed

All club members were delighted with the appointment on Wednesday last by An Taoiseach of Jimmy Devins T.D. as Minister of State for Disability Issues and Mental Health in the Department of Health and Children.

Jimmy has a life-long association with rugby, and with Sligo RFC. He is a former Connacht Schools’ player, and during his college days, he played with UCD. When he returned to Sligo in the mid to late 1970′s, he starred for the club for a number of years as an outside centre. After his playing days came to an end, he became actively involved in club administration, and served as club President in the 1984-85 season. He subsequently became a Life Member of the club, and for very many years served as the official team doctor. Despite his many onerous duties as a public representative, he remains a staunch supporter of the club.

Club President, Tom Gilligan, on behalf of the club, congratulates Jimmy on his richly merited appointment, and wishes him every success during his term in office.

Post Tag Barbecue A Huge Success

Published on June 25, 2007 in News and Tag. Closed

Last Thursday night’s post tag barbecue attracted a huge crowd, and was a tremendous success. For new Social Secretary, Billy Leahy, this was his first venture into organising a club function, and he certainly did a superb job, along with Therese Cosgrove, in ensuring the event was so successful. On the  evening all teams entered into party mode, and played in their special fancy dress gear, which contributed greatly to the atmosphere.

Winners of the Irish Tag Rugby Association award for the best team costume were The Warriors, who adopted a 1980′s dress theme. This caused mild surprise to some of the alickadoos in attendance, who regard their normal apparel as the height of sartorial elegance. The individual award for women, which was very generously sponsored by Sandra Raftery, was won by Sarah from the Ratpack team, while the men’s individual award, kindly sponsored by John Kent, was won by Gerry Kline. Much credit for everyone’s enjoyment of the occasion also goes to Bar Chairman, Mick Lucey, and his team of volunteers, Ralph Lucey, Niall Gray, Conor Frazer and Padraic Mullen.

The league continues on Thursday next at 7 pm,and concludes on Thursday July 19th.

Pre-season Training

Published on June 25, 2007 in Senior. Closed

Because so many players are involved in the tag league, pre-season training will now commence on Tuesday July 24th. Any newcomer to Sligo, or anyone who wishes to take up the game will be most welcome, and should contact 087-6879598 or 087-7995020. Training will start at 7 pm, and all senior, 2nd squad players and U-20′s should attend.

Community Games Finals

Published on June 25, 2007 in Events, Match Reports and News. Closed

The County semi-finals and finals of the Sligo Community Games were held in Hamilton Park on Friday last. The large crowd present were treated to some exciting rugby. In the semi-finals, Ballymote scored a narrow victory over a gallant Coolera side, who were forced to field a depleted side because of holidays and and the staging of the Community Games gaelic final on the same evening. Surely,it should be possible to avoid an unnecessary clash of fixtures. In the other semi-final, Maugheraboy proved to be too strong for a game Rosses Point side.

In last week’s opening round, Ballymote defeated last year’s national finalists, Cornageeha, Coolera beat Skreen in a thriller, and Rosses Point got the better of Collooney.

In the final, Maugheraboy, coached by David Murray, assisted by former Mayo footballing all-Star, T.J.Kilgallon, impressed as they defeated a physically stonger Ballymote side, coached by Michael McMorrow. The rugby produced by both sides was of a high standard, and all of these players look destined to a bright future in the game. Many thanks to John Davey, who refereed both semi-finals and the final, as well as in the preliminary round, and who did an excellent job, and to club captain, Jamie Livingstone, who also officiated in a first round game.

Rugby Summer Camp

Published on June 25, 2007 in Events, Juvenile, News and Youth. Closed

A Summer Scrummage Camp, organised by the IRFU, will be held in Hamilton Park from Monday July 9th until Friday July 13th. Camps will be conducted daily, with highly qualified coaches, from 9.30 am until 1.30 pm, and will cater for both boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 13 years. The camps are sponsored by the IRFU and by Ulster Bank and details are available by telephoning 1890473807. Canterbury gear will be provided for all participants. Book online now.

Volvic Tag Rugby League Match Reports

Published on June 21, 2007 in Match Reports, News and Tag. Closed

The games were played in high spirits tonight [Thursday 21st] as teams dressed in a variety of costumes, ranging from 80’s to red devils.

Brat Pack (red devils) were well spotted all over the rugby club tonight: they were dipped with red paint and even their team mascot was dressed for the occasion.

Fairly lively lived up to their name to claim their first victory of the Volvic Tag league as they were convincing 8-2 winners of an enthralling game against Top of The League.

The Strandvestites were taken back by brat Packs blinding costumes, as brat pack defeated them by an amazing 28-4 score!!!

Unfortunately the 8.30 teams had to play in the torrential rain but the teams kept their spirit and played as best they could.

The Warriors didn’t let defeat effect them tonight as they later claimed the honour of best dressed team in the bar!

Sligo Rugby Club didn’t know what hit them tonight!! Great fun and enjoyment was had by all in the club house afterwards. The BBQ went down a treat, DJ was great and the bar staff were fantastic under pressure but were delighted with the outstanding turn out.

All teams stayed around for hours and I believe there was even exchanging of costumes later on in the night!

So overall Sligo Players had a fantastic night at VOLVIC TAG SUMMER LEAGUE!!

Match report by Rachael Harte.

Post Tag Barbecue

Published on June 21, 2007 in Events, News and Tag. Closed

Social Secretary, Billy Leahy and Therese Cosgrove have everything in readiness for the barbecue which will take place in Hamilton Park, following the Tag League on Thursday next [June 21st]. Tickets are available from Billy and Therese, and a great evenings craic is assured. All players will play Tag in their fancy dress outfits, and special prizes are on offer for the best costumes [female and male].

New Management For 1st Team Squad Appointed

Published on June 21, 2007 in News and Senior. 1 Comment

Bernie Kelly has been re-appointed as Director of Rugby at the club for the coming season. Bernie brings a wealth of experience to this position, as he formerly coached both the New Zealand U-16 side and the New Zealand International Schools’ side, as well as the reserve side of Super 14 side, The Hurricanes. He also coached Galwegians in Division 1 of the AIL.

First team coach for the new season will be Joe Walsh, while the manager will be Brendan Leahy. Joe, a native of Limerick, is the outgoing Connacht Schools coach. Team manager will be Brendan Leahy. Both Joe and Brendan will be seeking to replicate a previous successful partnership, as they were at the helm when Sligo won the U-18 all-Ireland League in 2005. Also joining the management structure is Brian Mullan, one of the club’s most respected mentors.

In the upcoming season, Sligo will field at 1st XV, 2nd XV and at U-20 levels. At a recent meeting of the club’s Executive Committee, many tributes were paid to last season’s coaches, Pat Curran and Gavin Foley, and Manager Aidan Buckley, who are stepping down, for their huge contribution to the club, not only during last season, but for very many years.

Successful EGM

Published on June 21, 2007 in Committee, Membership and News. Closed

Last Friday evening’s EGM in the Glasshouse Hotel attracted a record attendance for a club meeting. Presentations were made to the meeting by three members of the Development sub-committee, Tom Gilligan, Des Butler and Rory Raftery, who gave updates to Life members and members on progress to date on the club’s plans to relocate. All recommendations from the sub-committee were unanimously endorsed by the meeting, and several speakers from the floor paid warm tributes to the members of the sub-committee, who will now proceed to bring plans for the relocation to their conclusion.

The members of the Development sub-committee are Des Butler [Chairman], Tom Gilligan, Michael O’Hehir, Rory Raftery, John Davey, Conor Frazer and Brendan Leahy.

Charity Disco

Published on June 21, 2007 in Disco, News and Youth. Closed

Tickets will shortly go on sale for the special alcohol-free charity teenage disco which will be held in the Clubhouse, Hamilton Park on Friday July 20th. The entire proceeds of the disco are being donated to two very worthy causes, the Sligo Branch of Special Olympics and to partially sponsor club member, James Coulter, who travels to Cape Town, South Africa, in October, to join workers at the Niall Mellon Foundation, who are constructing houses to replace shacks in the townships there.

Sligo RFC are sponsoring the printing of  the admission tickets for the disco, and will be responsible for stewarding the event, while regular DJ at club discos, Levi Curran, has very generously volunteered to give his services free on the evening.

Important Meetings This Week

Published on June 11, 2007 in Committee, Events and News. Closed

Two very important meetings of Sligo RFC will take place in the Glasshouse Hotel this week. On Wednesday [June 13 th], the first monthly meeting of the incoming committee for the 2007-8 season takes place. This meeting will deal with a number of urgent matters, as well as routine business, while the members will also be given an update on the club’s proposed new development.

On Friday [June15th] at 8pm, as advertised in the public notices of last week’s Sligo Champion, a special EGM of Life Members and fully paid up members of Sligo RFC will be held in the Glasshouse Hotel. At this meeting, the location of the site for the proposed relocation of the club will be announced to the members. Three members of the Development Sub-Committee, club President, Tom Gilligan, Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Des Butler, and Rory Raftery, will make presentations to the meeting ragarding the development. The membership will then have the opportunity to endorse or oppose the proposed development.

Barbecue And Fancy Dress

Published on June 11, 2007 in Events, News and Tag. Closed

On Thursday week next [June 21 st], in conjunction with the Tag Rugby League, a barbecue will be held in Hamilton Park after the games. All teams will play in their fancy dress gear, and the individual adjudged to be the winner will be the recipient of a special prize. The organisers of both events are Billy Leahy and Therese Cosgrove.

Bookings for the barbecue are being finalised on this Thurday evening [June 14th] at the Tag League, so all 16 captains are required to have collected the money from their team members, and handed it over to the organisers on Thursday next, to ensure their booking.

Last Thursday’s games again produced some marvellous rugby, with standards continuing to improve. With a try from a woman meriting three points, compared to one point for a try scored by a man, the team tacticians are busy devising strategies to have a woman at the end of the moves, with Simon Galvan’s side, at this stage, using this tactic to very good effect.

In the past, Sligo had one of the strongest women’s sides in the country, and Therese Cosgrove and Ann O’Toole were capped for Ireland. With so many talented women starring in this league, women’s rugby will certainly be re-launched in the club when we move to our new facility in the near future.

Community Games Rugby

Published on June 11, 2007 in Fixtures, Juvenile, News and Youth. Closed

The club is again delighted to host the Community Games rugby and Tag rugby competitions this year. George Draper, a man synonymous with under-age rugby in Sligo for so many years, is again the co-ordinator. The games commence at 6 p.m. each evening, and will be held on Tuesday June 19th, Wednewday June 20 th, Friday June 22nd, and Tuesday June 26th.

Good luck To Sligo

Published on June 11, 2007 in News. Closed

The club President, and the Committee, wish the Sligo team, their manager, Tommy Breheny, and his assistant manager, John Kent, the best of luck and success in their Connacht senior championship game against Roscommon in Hyde Park on Sunday next.

Poll

Published on June 11, 2007 in News and Polls. Closed