Sligo RFC U19 7 :: Galwegians 35
A new look Sligo XV lost their first league outing on Sunday last in Strandhill.
This season the management have to plan their side with the loss of 3 top players Niall Keneally, Tighe Power and Chris Nairn who have joined the UL Bohs academy in Limerick and a decision has also been taken to minimise the number of club games for Grammer School senior players who have a full schedule at this time.
The upside of this is that a number of new and old faces turned out for the club for Sunday’s game and gave a good display.
Galwegian’s started the game with the aid of a strong breeze and put immediate pressure on the Sligo line and from a close in scrum they crossed under the posts and then later added a second try from a rolling maul to leave the score 14- 0 at half time.
The Sligo pack was under a lot of pressure in the loose but were holding their own in the tight with the front row of David French, Donal Rooney and Gerard Keaney doing well.
Sligo had two debutants in the second row in CJ Mc Carrick and Simon Lynch and while they had mixed luck in the line outs they got through a lot of work around the park.
In the back row Sligo welcomed back James Clarke and Tomas Mc Munn both who had not played for the last 3 seasons and both had excellent outings, Craig Adams filled in an unfamiliar position for him at no 6 but also gave a good account of himself.
In the second half the constant pressure from the first half began to tell and as the tiredness set in, Galwegians hit Sligo for 3 further try’s in a 10 minute spell.
However Sligo regrouped and finished on a high note when substitute Robbie Keegan at scrumhalf darted over for a well taken try and Sligo had opportunities to add some more points but poor handling stopped them for adding a few more scores..
Overall the half backs of Donal Brady and Stephen Butler combined well and Butler did not put a foot wrong throughout the game. Cian Henry from Drumcliff also making his debut on the wing looked very comfortable throughout and club stalwart Adam Donnellan did everything asked of him. At full back Cathal Finneran caught and kicked very well and looks a very promising prospect.
Sligo have 4 more league games in November and hopefully the side can continue to improve as the management focus to bring more depth to the squad.
Best of luck to Aaron Spring in his international trials this week hopefully he will be available later in the league campaign.
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