Hamilton Park, Strandhill, Sligo, Ireland – Founded 1890
Sligo 8 :: Galwegians 24
Sligo’s 1st team came away from Glenina pointless on Sunday last when they were comprehensively defeated by a very strong and impressive Galwegians side in Round 2 of the Connacht Junior 1 League. Continue reading ‘Sligo Come A Cropper Against Galwegians’
On Sunday next [kick-off 2.30 pm], Sligo play Castlebar in Round 3 of the Connacht Junior 1 League. This will certainly be a searching test for Sligo, as the Co. Mayo team showed in last week’s victory over Ballina that they are a strong side. Castlebar lost in the opening round away to Buccaneers, while Sligo came away pointless from Galwegians last Sunday. Both sides will be aware that in an 11 team league another defeat would jeopardise their title prospects, so Sunday’s points are absolutely crucial. Continue reading ‘Castlebar Visit Hamilton Park’
Sligo’s 2nd XV, boosted by their recent impressive friendly victories over Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballina, commence competitive action on Sunday next, when they travel to Galway to play Corinthians. With a full squad, Sligo are capable of making a major impact in this league. The selectors, Michael Storey, Finian O’Driscoll and Declan Lynch have tried out a number of different formations in their games to date, and will certainly field a strong side. Continue reading ‘Seconds Commence League Campaign’
Thirteen teams will compete in the Connacht Junior 2 League. The following is Sligo 2nd XV’s fixture schedule:
November 4th V Corinthians [a], November 11th V Creggs [h], November 18th V Galwegians [a], December 2nd V Loughrea [h] December V West Offaly Lions [a], February 2nd ’08 V Westport [a], February 17th V Monivea [h], February 24th V OLBC [a], March 2nd V Buccaneers [a], March 9th V Tuam [h], March 23rd V Ballina [a], March 30th V Castlebar [h].
The teenage alcohol free, all ticket disco, which was held in the Clubhouse, Hamilton Park, on Friday last, attracted a capacity crowd and was a huge success. The success of the evening was principally due to the work of the Event Organiser, Justin Harte, who did an outstanding job, and to Niall Draper, who co-ordinated the stewarding. The club President, on behalf of the committee extends gratitude to Justin and Niall for their expertise and professionalism in running the event. Once again, DJ, Levi Curran did an excellent job. Many thanks to the 28 stewards for so selflessly giving of their time, and whose presence ensured everything ran so smoothly.
The club’s annual Christmas Party will be held in the Glasshouse Hotel on Thursday December 20th. The party is intended for sponsors, Committee and Sub-Committee members, players, coaches, referees, and workers in the club. Last year’s party at the same venue was a memorable affair, and the organisers will be hoping to emulate that success. At a recent meeting of the Executive Committee, the following sub-committee was appointed to organise the event; Billy Leahy [Chair.], Therese Cosgrove, Conor Frazer, Clare Storey and Niall Draper. Full details later.
The President, and all club members wish 2nd team player, James Coulter well, as he travels to Cape Town, South Africa this week, to participate in the Niall Mellon Township house building programme. James deserves commendation for his idealism, selflessness and humanitarianism. Sligo RFC are delighted to have raised a portion of the funding required by James for the project, from the special charity disco held in the Clubhouse last July, and through the raffle held at the function on the night of the Tag rugby final, the proceeds of both which were jointly shared between James’ Niall Mellon Fund’ and the Sligo Branch of Special Olympics.
Aaron Spring, a member of the club’s U-16 team, has been chosen on the Connacht Academy squad, and for the schools’ mid-term break this week, has been undergoing full-time coaching and training in Galway under the Connacht Academy coaches. A second row or a No. 8, whose game is characterised by pace and power, Aaron looks destined to have a very bright future in the game. He is a member of the Summerhill College senior rugby team.
Among the photographs reproduced in the club’s Yearbook, was a picture of the Co. Sligo team which played Dublin University in 1910. Plans are now afoot to mark the centenary of that fixture with a game between the sides in 2010.
At last week-end’s U-20 Inter Varsity championship held in Dublin, two former star under-age players with Sligo were in action when UCD played UL Bohs, with Simon Gillespie at out-half for UCD, and Ross Butler at full-back for the winners, UL.
Another ex-Sligo player, Sean Henry, who captains the UL-Bohs U-20 side was unavailable, as he was a substitute for UL-Bohs senior team in their Division 1 AIL game with UCD on Saturday. It is a great achievement for the young Curry man to have progressed so quickly in his career. A hooker, Sean commenced his rugby career under Jean McConnell in his first year in Banada Abbey, and his progress since has been meteoric. He won a Connacht Junior Schools development medal with St. Attracta’s, Tubbercurry, and an all-Ireland U-18 medal with Sligo. He played for Connacht at U-18 and U-20 levels and is also a member of the prestigious UL-Bohemian’s rugby academy. All three are wished well in their future careers from the club President and all in Sligo RFC.
Two wins for Sligo Under 15 Rugby Team confirmed their place as one of the leading teams in Connacht.
In the first game they defeated a good Monivea side 19- 7 and travelled to Ballina last weekend to defeat them convinsingly – 33-7. A significant number of under 15′s also helped the under 16′s to a significant win over Creggs last Sunday. Continue reading ‘Great Start to Season for Sligo Under 15's’
Sligo and Mullingar served up a cracking encounter at Sligo IT last saturday morning. The game was played in three sections of fifteen minutes each to ensure that all players were able to show their skills. Continue reading ‘U-12s draw with strong Mullingar outfit’
Sligo 19 :: Corinthians 16
Sligo’s 1st team opened their Connacht Junior 1 League campaign in convincing fashion, when they defeated Corinthians in an exciting game, at Hamilton Park on Sunday last. The game was played in ideal, albeit chilly conditions, which were conducive to a free flowing game. Continue reading ‘Sligo Open Their League Compaign Convincingly’
Sligo 2nd XV 24 :: Ballina 2nd XV 18
Sligo’s 2nd team followed up their recent victory over Carrick-on-Shannon with another impressive display against Ballina in Heffernan Park, Ballina on Sunday last. Continue reading ’2nd XV Win In Ballina Friendly’
This season, for all home Connacht Junior 1 league games, a ‘man of the match’ award is being awarded. The generous sponsor of the award for the opening game was Rory Raftery, Raftery and Co., Chartered Accountants, Burton St., and the winner was long serving second row, Peter Mullan, who had an outstanding game.
Full Match Report available here.
