There was a very large attendance at the AGM of Sligo RFC, which was held in the Glasshouse Hotel on Friday last. Outgoing Hon. Secretary, Michael Storey, reported on a very successful season for the club at underage level and paid tribute to the 2nd Team, of which he was manager, for their spirited performances. Michael, who did not seek re- election, was acclaimed by the meeting for his work in many capacities on behalf of the club. Continue reading ‘Large Attendance At AGM’
Monthly Archive for May, 2008
Since this site was set up, it has been my pleasure to attempt weekly to give rugby enthusiasts who log on from around the world, news and reports, and a flavour of the myriad of activities which occurred at Sligo RFC. A new club PRO will soon be appointed to continue providing weekly material.
I wish to congratulate our Website Editor and designer, Jonathan Hill, for all his work on the site, including his superb photography, and to thank him for his magnificent contribution to our club in so many spheres of activity during my two years as club President.
The first round of the Volvic Tag Rugby Summer League takes place on Thursday next May 22nd, and for this round only, the venue will be the main pitch at Sligo IT, and the post match social centre will be the Glasshouse Hotel.
The regrettable change of venue is due to the fact that reseeding work at Hamilton Park had to be deferred for a few weeks because of the unseasonal wet weather in April, while the drought for the past week has slowed down germination. It is hoped that the pitch will be in good condition for play when Round 2 takes place on May 29th, and the post match analysis will take place in the Clubhouse bar.
Twenty four teams, and in excess of 300 players, took part in the Buntus Rugby Tag blitz for primary schools, which was held on the main pitch at Sligo IT on Friday last. The emphasis in the blitz was on participation, and in the glorious weather, the players enjoyed the experience immensely. Buntus rugby is a joint Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership and IRFU promotion, and is proving to be very successful. The Connacht Branch were represented by Martin Gallagher, Club Development Manager, and R.D.O., Lyndon Jones, and the Sports Partnership by Teresa Kilgallon.
In his last duty as club President, Tom Gilligan thanked the Sligo Sports Partnership and the IRFU for ensuring Buntus rugby is so successful in so many primary schools in Co. Sligo. He thanked all primary teachers involved for their dedication, and congratulated all the boys and girls on their rugby skills.
Tickets have gone on sale from the usual sellers for the last teenage alcohol-free disco of the season, which takes place in the Clubhouse on Friday Mat 30th at 9 pm. Early purchase is again advised, and as usual, no cash will be accepted on the night, and under no circumstance should anyone without a ticket come near the Clubhouse. The Event Organiser, Justin Harte has everything in readiness and the Chief Steward will be Niall Draper. All stewards should report to Niall for their postings not later than 8.30 pm on that evening.
Tickets have gone on sale from the usual sellers for the last teenage alcohol-free disco of the season, which takes place in the Clubhouse on Friday Mat 30th at 9 pm. Early purchase is again advised, and as usual, no cash will be accepted on the night, and under no circumstance should anyone without a ticket come near the Clubhouse. The Event Organiser, Justin Harte has everything in readiness and the Chief Steward will be Niall Draper. All stewards should report to Niall for their postings not later than 8.30 p.m. on that evening.
The AGM of Sligo RFC will be held in the Glasshouse Hotel on Friday next, May 16th at 8 pm. The meeting will report on a hectic season, both on and off the playing field.
It is probably appropriate, given the ever increasing Juvenile and Youth membership in the club, that these two sections provided the season’s highlights, with the U-12 team winning the Connacht blitz, the U-13 team winning the Connacht Cup, and the U-14’s winning the Connacht Cup also. The U-18 team were victorious in the Connacht league. The club was honoured by the selection of 16 year old Aaron Spring on the Ireland Youth [U-18] side, and by the selection of Aaron, Rory Kerins and Tadgh Power on Connacht squads.
There will be a number of changes at the helm for the coming season. Outgoing President, Tom Gilligan, after two years in office, is stepping down, while current Hon. Secretary, Michael Storey, is also taking a well deserved break after three years in this position. Hon. Treasurer, Jimmy Staunton is another who is not seeking re-election, so there will be a number of new faces at the top table. Last season’s club captain, Jamie Livingstone, has returned to his native New Zealand, so there will also be a newcomer to fill this position.
All fully paid up members are entitled to attend the AGM, and given the record membership in the club at present, a very big attendance is anticipated.
A blitz for girls in schools who partook in Tag Rugby coaching, was held on Thursday last in Sligo I.T. The coaching was a pilot project of the Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, in co-operation with Sligo RFC, under the Women in Sport initiative, and was conducted by Simon Galvan.
After two excellent and closely contested semi-finals, where Mercy College and Ursuline College were very narrowly defeated, Sligo Grammar School and Scoil Mhuire, Ballymote qualified for the final. This was an extremely exciting encounter, between two evenly matched sides, but in the end, the Ballymote girls, managed by Lorcan Lyngh, gained a narrow victory over the Grammar, managed by Jimmy Staunton.
Afterwards, both winners and runners-up were presented with their medals by club President, Tom Gilligan, who congratulated all the participants, thanked the Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, and coach Simon Galvan, and welcomed Theresa Kilgallon of the Sligo Sport and Recreation partnership. He also thanked Sligo I.T. for the use of their excellent facilities and congratulated Scoil Mhuire and Lorcan Lyngh on their win.
More photos courtesy of Theresa Kilgallon are available here.
The 2008 Volvic Tag Rugby League commences on Thursday week, May 22nd. Last year’s league was a major success, and the expectations are that it will be surpassed by this year’s event. All arrangements for the league, which is run by the Irish Tag Rugby Association, are in place, and for detailed information on the league, their website should be visited. In excess of 20 teams are entered for this year’s league.
A number of social events are planned for the Clubhouse on the league evenings. On June 3rd there will be a Salsa night, while it is planned to have a disco on June 17th. A table quiz will be held on July 7th, and on the final night there will be the prize giving and a party night with a DJ.
The very last alcohol-free teenage disco of the season will be held in the Clubhouse, Hamilton Park, on Friday May 30th, at 9 pm. Tickets are already on sale from the usual sellers. Continue reading ‘Alcohol-Free Teenage Disco’
A blitz for all primary schools participating in the Buntus Rugby initiative in Co. Sligo, will be held in the Sligo I.T. on Friday next, and it promises to produce a feast of rugby.
Buntus rugby was introduced to the schools this year, after primary teachers had participated in a coaching course conducted by IRFU coaches, including Greystones RFC captain, Stuart Abbot. Once again, the idea is the brainchild of the Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership and it has proved to be extremely successful.
It is surely a co-incidence, and there is no evidence that a supernatural power was at work, that the two most recent guests at the club’s Annual Dinner are about to have the final curtain brought down on their playing careers. David Humphreys, who was guest speaker at the 2007 dinner, played his last game in Ravenhill against Cardiff on Friday last. This year’s guest speaker, Anthony Foley retires from the game on May 24th after the Heineken Cup final. Continue reading ‘Career Ending Gig!’
Congratulations to former Sligo player, Des Lynch, who was recently appointed as joint manager of the Canada senior squad. Des, a native of Strandhill, played as a back with Sligo in the late 1970’s. His brother, Declan, was a stalwart player for the club in the second row for many years. He remains a great clubman, being assistant manager of the 2nd. XV this season, and of course Declan is ever present as a steward at the club’s alcohol-free teenage discos.
The President, Tom Gilligan, and the Committee, wish Des every success in his onerous and challenging new position.
Curry born Sean Henry, was the recipient of the Player of the Year Award from former Ireland Triple Crown winning No. 8, Dr. Brian Spillane, at the recent UL-Bohemian’s presentation function. It is a great honour for the 20 year old, who in addition to winning an all-Ireland U-20 cup medal this season, also played a number of outstanding games as hooker with the club’s 1st. XV in Division 1 of the AIL. Continue reading ‘UL-Bohemians Player Of The Year’
Sligo RFC’s annual dinner was held in the Sligo Park Hotel on Sunday last, and attracted a capacity attendance. Special guest speaker was Munster and Ireland legend, Anthony Foley, who is retiring from the game on May 24th. Among those present were the President of the Connacht Branch, Michael Cunningham [Westport RFC] and his wife, Lily, the Mayor of Sligo, Colr. Jonathan McGoldrick, Minister Jimmy Devins, Eamonn Scanlon T.D. Senator Geraldine Feeney, Colr. Deirdre Healy-McGowan, Very Reverent Dean Stuart McGee and his wife, Eunice, and Sligo’s most senior member, George Hamlet, club President, 1969-1972. Continue reading ‘Sligo RFC Dinner Dance a great success!’
The final alcohol-free teenage disco of the season will be held on Friday May 30th in the Clubhouse, Hamilton Park at 9 pm. The Event Organiser will as usual be Justin Harte, and tickets for the disco will go on sale from the usual sellers on this week-end.
