Monthly Archive for October, 2010

November 09  100 euro  Jimmy Staunton
                                50 euro  Porter & Co.
                                25 euro  Conor Frazer

December 09  100 euro  Joe Burgess
                               50 euro  John Gleeson
                               25 euro  Michael O Hehir

January  10     100 euro  John Williams
                                50 euro  Jim Caesy
                                25 euro  C+C Donnelan

February 10     100 euro  Jill Barber
                                 50 euro  Damian Heaslip
                                 25 euro  Jim Casey

March    10        100 euro  Niall Gray
                                 50 euro  Marion Rolf
                                 25 euro  Paul Mullaney

April    10           100 euro  Marc Mc Sharry
                                 50 euro  Anthony Tindall
                                 25 euro  Gerard Clark

May      10           100 euro  Michael Lynch
                                 50 euro  Barry Mc Conkey 
                                 25 euro  Brian Kilgallon

June     10           100 euro  Brian Kilgallon
                                 50 euro  Robert Rowlette
                                 25 euro  Michael O Hehir

July     10            100 euro  Molloy & Wall
                                 50 euro  John Kane
                                 25 euro  Damian Heaslip

August   10        100 euro  John Mair
                                 50 euro  T.A & H Porter
                                 25 euro  Niall Gray

Sligo RFC 62 Loughrea 5

Sligo’s quest for Connaught Junior League Division one glory continued in earnest when they put South Galway side Loughrea to the sword with a ten try demolition at Strandhill on Sunday.

The home team were on top in all facets of play despite starting without regulars Wesley Maxwell, Gavin Foley, Aaron Spring and Adrian McHale.

From the kick off Sligo attacked and quickly got points on the board when a Loughrea clearance kick was collected by Roger Burrows and moved to Mark Butler.  Butler changed the angle and released Paddy Pearson who raced to the line and scored under the posts.   The scrum half added the extras to put his side 7-0 ahead.

From the re-start Sligo collected and again found their way into Loughrea territory.  A well rehearsed move saw half backs Butler and Pearson switch places allowing Pearson the space to race through the defence under the posts for his and his teams second score. He added a successful conversion to put his side 14 points ahead.

Sligo continued to press and their pressure was rewarded with a penalty close in.   Ross Mannion carried before off loading to second row James Wilson who in turn linked with Cathal Culhane.   The flanker drove for the line and opened a gap which Butler shot through to touch down for the home team’s third try.  Pearson again added the extras.

The visitors where then stung into life and their pressure was rewarded with a series of penalties in the Sligo 22.   Following sustained pressure they drove over the Sligo line and touched down for a five point score.

Sligo immediately responded and a fine kick by Mark Butler was inadequately dealt with by the Loughrea cover.  Roger Burrows collected and feed Butler who in turn moved the ball to Mata Fifita and the strong running centre powered over in the corner.
From the re-start the ball was moved quickly to the powerful Fifita who ran straight and hard and with a trade mark hand off broke the cover and rounded the Loughrea full back to double his tally.  Butler converted to put the score at 33-5.

Sligo’s high tempo game was now causing the visitors trouble in all areas.   Jamie Bowes and Paddy Conlon’s ball carrying were creating difficulties for the Loughrea defence and just before half time a huge carry by Bowes allowed centre Jordon Farrington the space to run through the gap and touch down to add to his teams total.  Butler added the conversion to put the half time score 40-5 in favour of the home team.
The second half began much as the first half ended with Sligo’s high tempo game troubling the visitors in every aspect of the game.  A fine run by Farrington was halted short of the line by an illegal foot trip and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty try to Sligo which Butler converted with ease. Coach Simon Galvin made a number of substitutions which included Sligo County Gaelic footballer Sean Davey who entered the fray for his debut in a Sligo Rugby jersey.

Sligo’s eighth try was created from quick thinking from scrum half Frankie Feeney when he quickly tapped a penalty and released the back line.   The ball was shifted to Clive Morris who made no mistake in touching down in the corner.

Sligo were still not finished, and a Loughrea clearance was kept in play by Davey who collected and counter attached and set up a quick ruck ball.  The ball was spun out to the dangerous Fifita who burst through the cover and dotted down in the corner.

Sligo’s final score came from a great break by Butler and quick hands saw Farrington round the cover to touch down and bring his teams total to 62 points.

Sligo’s Junior League campaign continues next saturday when they take on Mayo rivals Westport RFC at Hamilton park Strandhill. The match kicks off at 2.30pm.

Sligo: David Gerrity, Roger Burrows, Jordan Farrington, Matele Fifita, Billy Leahy, Mark Butler, Paddy Pearson,  Dara Cox, Ross Mannion, Martin Feeney, James Wilson, Trevor Sweeney, Jamie Bowes, Cathal Culhane, Paddy Conlon.  Reps. Frankie Feeney for Paddy Pearson, Gary Coneelly for Ross Mannion, Clive Morris for Roger Burrows, Adrian McHale for Dara Cox, Sean Davey for David Gerrity.

Sligo U15s win in Connemara
Sligo U15s captured their second victory of the new season with a win against the Connemara All Blacks. The game kicked of with Sligo taking two early scores from the boot of Evan Mc Grath as a  result of the opposition persistence in coming in from the side. Both teams traded strong play for 15 minutes but against the odds the home team scored a try from some lack lustre defending from Sligo. That shock score was enough to sting the visitors into action and some strong running at the defence paid off when Daire Byrne ran in an excellent try to leave the score at 11 points to 7 in Sligo,s favour.
The front row of Greer ,O Donnell, and Hough backed up by the engine room of Sean Hurley and Jake Sexton were begining to dominate the exchanges but Sligo failed to add to their tally for the remainder of the half.
Westport tried in earnest to bring their backs into play but great defence from Thomas Moran,Jack Tillion and Diarmiud Mulligan  kept the scoreline in Sligo’s favour.
Darren Harte and James Hanson displayed some fine ball and  tackling skill   bringing the half time score  at 11 points to 7 points and you would feel that Sligo was getting the upper had on Connemara but the home team pack physicality was playing a big part in the  low  score at half time. The second half saw Sligo gain territorial advantage following some fine kicking from Evan Mc Grath and Daire Byrne .A home lineout was attacked by  Cairn Cassidy and Ryan Bright causing the opposition to drop the ball .The resulting scrum was a easily won by Sligo  force and a well delivered ball from  scrum half Ronan Redmond allowed Byrne hit the line for try number two. From the restart Matthew Cosgrove reclaimed the ball and drove into opposition territory backed up by Joe Conway who had an impressive game on his first day out with the club. This territorial advantage allowed the marauding Byrne the opportunity to crash over for his and his teams third try. Mc Grath converted to put the score at 23 points to 7 . Sligo brought on some fresh legs with Jackson Smith , Keelan Grehan and  Austin Mc Guinn and all made an a immediate impact on the game.  
The last score of the game came when Darren Harte recieved the ball on the twenty two and broke through the first tackle before offloading  to Mc Grath who cleverly grubber kicked behind  the defence and then led the chase before collecting and racing to the corner for a well worked try .The outhalf was just short with his well struck conversion  ending the game in a score of 28 points to 7 .
Next Sunday Sligo play host to Castlebar and will be hoping to continue their 100% start to their league campaign.

Former Sligo RFC full back Charlie Harrison recieved the ultimate GAA accolade when he was selected for the 2010 GAA All Star team. Charlie played with distinction at all youth levels for Sligo RFC and was the starting full back for the senior team for the 2000-2001 season before moving to London to complete his education.
As a rugby player Charlie was an excellent fielder of the high ball, was brave in the tackle and possessed a great turn of pace, all skills which are evident in his play as a gaelic footballer.
All at Sligo RFC wish to congratulate Charlie on his achievement and wish him continued success in his sporting carreer.