Monthly Archive for May, 2011

Connacht Juniors V’s Munster – Video and Photographs

Published on May 26, 2011 in News. Closed

Photo by – Jonathan Curran, Sporting Occassions

See highlights from the Connacht Junior’s impressive victory over Munster to secure thir first ever Inter-Provincial Title. With try’s from Mataele Fafita and Aaron Spring, the five players from Sligo played thier part in the title race.

See video here – Connacht Junior’s V’s Munster

Full match photo gallery available from Sporting Occasions

A proud Pat Curran who has played a very important role in bringing the Connacht Juniors to where they are today both as a player, coach and manager.

An equally proud Connacht and Sligo supporter and Grandfather of Aaron Spring – Mr. John Snee

Annual General Meeting

Published on May 18, 2011 in News. Closed

The AGM of Sligo Rugby Club will take place on Friday 27th of May at 8pm at the clubhouse at Strandhill. All Members are asked to attend.

Tag Rugby Time Again!

Published on May 17, 2011 in Photos and Tag. Closed

Week 3 of Sligo Tag is upon us, so lets hope there’s a change in the weather and the sun shines again!!

This Thursday Night’s Entertainment sees the return of the fun filled School Sports Night; this includes the Egg & Spoon Race, Sack Race, 3-Legged Race and many many more.  For those of you who attended last year, and those intrigued about this thursday night, we’ve attached some photos to give you an idea of the nights events!  The Races will begin directly after the final games (approx 9.45 / 10pm).    We hope to run it outside, weather permitting, but by the looks of todays weather……..we will alternatively be holding all the School Sports Night games indoors.  We hope you can all make what promises to be a very entertaining night!

Captains please ensure all of your team know what time your game is kicking off and we would ask all players to arrive at least 20 mins before their game begins.
All match times for this week are now are available at http://www.irishrugby.ie/tagrugby/wheretoplay/connacht_sligo_rfc.php

There is still an opportunity for Tag players to be featured in the Player Profile in the Sligo Weekender, so if you or any of your team are interested, please let us know asap!

Please note you are permitted to wear Sports Goggles which are secured with elastic, however Glasses are NOT allowed.

See you all on Thursday!
Sligo Tag Committee, sligotag@gmail.com

Tag Rugby – Week 2

Published on May 16, 2011 in Match Reports and Tag. Closed

Last Thursday saw the second week of tag return to Sligo Rugby Club, Hamilton Park. Although there were very heavy rain showers that day, thankfully the showers stayed away just in time to allow all 36 teams play their 40 minutes of tag.

The 6.30 games kicked off on time with Socrate Healthcare playing against Tagtastic, with a small panel the socates healthcare managed to stay afloat for the 40 mins. Beginners to the game, they showed the Tagtastic team their skills and tried their best to outdo them. Unfortunately they didnt succeed in winning the game, with Tagtastic taking the win 16 to 6. The second round of games at 7.15 showed a full panel of teams. The LA boozers were up against the Supermodels team, both teams played last year and this showed on the field with an even game for the most of the 40 mins. The Supermodels took the win with 19 points to 11. Another of the 7.15 games showed great skill with two new teams playing tag this year, those being Cartron Cowboys and Mullens Madness. The Cartron Cowboys had fun on the pitch and showed great skill against the Mullens Madness team. The win was good for Cartron Cowboys with a 21 point win to 7 Mullen Madness. The 8.45 games kicked off just in time, and one game that took place at this time was The Glasshouseotel versus Thunderstruckers. Although the Thunderstruckers team playd last year, still also have some new players to their panel. The game was taken by the Thunderstruckers team with a great win of 16 to 3 points.

After all the games had all finished all tag teams made their way into the clubhouse to take place in the annual tag Table Quiz. With 28 teams packing out the hall in the clubhouse it was a great night of entertainment. Following 9 rounds of questions, including a round in Irish, the winners of the table quiz were representing the Cartron Cowboys. The prizes for the table quiz were generously sponsored by Jako and The Record Room. Next week sees the return of the very popular Sports day games. This will include games such as the egg & Spoon race, the sack race and the 3 legged race, it is promised to be a very entertaining night for both the participants and viewers

Please note:
Sligo Tag Rugby is an Over 18s Event.
Players are not permitted to wear any jewellery (including glasses)during the games.
All players must wear Tag Shorts.

Reminder of some RULES:
4.4 The marker must stand directly in front of the ruck ball.  The marker and the defensive line can only move forward when the ball is touched/played by the scrum half. Sanction: penalty

5.8 An attacker may receive a pass behind their own try line or may run behind their own  try line when in possession of the ball. If an attacker is tagged behind their own tryline, the attacking team shall restart play with a Drop-Kick from the centre of their tryline.

5.9 The srumhalf can pass or kick the ball with only one tag on as long as they do so immediately (one step) .

5.16 If the scrum half is not in position within 3 seconds of the ball being played at a ruck ball, a changeover will be awarded to the defending team.  The Referee will determine the time period.

5.17 if the ball carrier executes a voluntary tag by deliberately playing a Ruck Ball with both tags intact, the defending team are award a penalty.

6 In open play the ball may only be kicked from hand and while it is on the ground or while it is in the air having hit the ground. Sanction :penalty

6.13 The Attacking team may kick the ball at any time while in possession.  The ball must not go higher than the referees shoulders for a grubber kick.

6.19 if the ball is kicked and bounces in the field of play and crosses the receiving teams tryline they will receive a Changeover ten meters out from the tryline the centre of the field.

6.24 If a Grubber kick travels higher than 1.5 metre, a penalty will be awarded to the defending team at the place where the ball was kicked.

6.25 If the ball is kicked and it goes out of the field of play in the full, the receiving team will receive a changeover at the poing where the kick was taken.

The contact details for Sligo Tag: sligotag@gmail.com or join us on facebook/sligotag.

 

Connacht Juniors secure their 1st inter-pro series

Published on May 15, 2011 in News. 1 Comment

Connacht have secured their 1st ever inter provincial series title by coming from 5-9 down at half time to win 26-9 against Munster, thanks to 2nd half try’s from Mataele Fifita and Aaron Spring. Paddy Pearson played a vital role scoring 11 points with the boot. Wesley Maxwell was back in the side after injury and Jamie Bowes good form earned him a spot in the starting 15 in the 2nd row.

Congratulations to all the lads and also to Pat Curran who will take great pride in the victory having been a part of the Connacht Juniors management team for many years now and as a former Connacht Junior player.

Well done to all!

A season to remember

Published on May 13, 2011 in News. 1 Comment

With the Club dinner dance on Friday May 13th at The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo RFC can take great pride in what has been a season to remember. At the recent CBIRFU awards night Sligo RFC were awarded the Connacht Junior Club of the year award and Club President John Kane was on hand to receive the award. Also there on the night was Mataele Fafita who after a fantastic season with Sligo was short listed for the Junior player of the year award. The award eventually went to Ballina’s Mickey Murphy.

With so many Junior, Ladies and under age accolades for the season, Club President John Kane will address the dinner dance with great pride on Friday night in what has been a season for the record books. The guest speaker is Malcolm O’Kelly. We wish everyone a great night of celebration!

Title on the line in the final game in the Junior Inter Provincial series

Published on May 13, 2011 in News. Closed

The Connacht Juniors will play Munster in the Sportsground in Galway next Saturday May 14th at 2.30pm. There are a number of Sligo players starring in the side and members are encouraged to get behind the side as they strive to win the inter provincial series that has eluded this current crop of players. In the Connacht Junior squad are Paddy Pearson, Aaron Spring, Mataele Fafita, Jamie Bowes and Wesley Maxwell. What better way to top off the season with the Club dinner dance on Friday night and one final game of the season on Saturday in Galway! Good luck to all, com’on Connacht!

Another fine win for the Connacht Juniors

Published on May 13, 2011 in News. Closed

Junior Interprovincial Rugby

Connacht  20         Leinster    14

Connacht continued on their winning ways at Donnybrook on Saturday when they beat Leinster in this Junior Rugby interprovincial.

Connacht’s pack provided the platform for this victory and from the first scrum the Connacht front row of Doran McHugh, Martin Lee and Tom Toolan had their Leinster counterparts in real trouble. Solid lineout ball and excellent rucking at the breakdown gave halfs Mickey Murphy and Paddy Pearson quality ball to work with.

Pearson opened the scoring with a penalty on 15 minutes and was again involved two minutes later when Rory O’Connor crossed over in the corner for Connacht’s first try. Pearson made a fantastic conversion from the sideline to leave the visitors ahead 10 – 0.
The next twenty minutes saw Connacht camped in the Leinster half and they broke they Leinster defensive once again on thirty five minutes when Dave Prior sent his club mate Rory O’Connor in for his second try. Pearson just missed the conversion which left Connacht 15-0 ahead.

With two minutes to go in the half, Connacht were again pressing when an intercept by the Leinster centre looked certain to give the home side their opening score. In a game changing chase Connacht winger Aaron Spring made up 25 metres on his opponent in the race to the line, tackled him, and forced him to knock on the ball. This meant that Connacht held their 15-0 lead at half time.

Leinster regrouped at half time and hit back with a converted try 3 minutes into the second half. Crucially, with the score now at 15 – 7 Leinster missed a penalty on 47 minutes when Connacht second row Willie Parker was sin binned. The Connacht defence during this period was immense and Leinster could not take advantage of the extra man.

Connacht outhalf Paddy Pearson went off injured on 53 minutes’ replaced by Ger O’Connor, and Ronan Coughlan also replaced Doran McHugh at loose head prop.Leinster also made a series of substitutions, mainly in the pack, in an effort to change the flow of the game. But it was Connacht second row substitute, Dave Hansberry, who made the most impact when he took a pass from Martin Lee and out ran the Leinster defence to touch down in the corner. This left Connacht comfortably in front at 20 – 7 with 6 minutes to go. Connacht and Leinster both emptied their respective benches and it was Leinster sub Swindlehurst who touched down for a try for Leinster in the last minute which was converted and left the final score 20 – 14 in favour of Connacht.

Having beaten Ulster already, Connacht now face Munster in the Sportsground in Galway next Saturday at 2.30pm, where a victory would guarantee Connacht its first ever victory in this championship. However it will not be easy as Munster will provide formidable opposition having scored 24 points in each of their games to date. That said this Connacht side have shown tremendous form to date and have shown a focus and maturity in their play which, hopefully, will help them get the desired result on Saturday.

Connacht:
Kevin Higgins (Monivea) (Capt.), Rory O’Connor (Monivea), Dave Prior (Monivea), Mata Fafita (Sligo), Aaron Spring (Sligo), Paddy Pearson (Sligo), Mickey Murphy (Ballina), Doran McHugh (OLBC), Martin Lee (Corrib), Tom Toolan (Ballina), Jamie Bowes (Sligo) , Willie Parker (Monivea), Eoin Rooney (Monivea), Mike Ward (Tuam), Aidan McNulty (Ballina)
Subs    Ronan Coughlan (Monivea), Brian Murphy (Monivea), Dave Hansberry (OLBC), Tom Ellard (Westport), John Culkin (Monivea) Ger O’Connor (Monivea), Seamus Fahy (Monivea)

Tag Rugby – Week 1

Published on May 6, 2011 in Match Reports and Tag. Closed

Thursday May 5th, saw the return of another much anticipated Season of IRFU Tag Rugby to Hamilton Park Strandhill, home to Sligo RFC.  With this being the 5th consecutive year of Tag Rugby Tournaments at the Sligo Venue, the popularity of the game is prominent with yet another increase in the number of teams.  With an additional six teams entering the leagues on last year, this Season is surely going to bring a great atmosphere to Strandhill.  The rain stayed away for most of the evening, much to the happiness of all those taggers who braved it on the pitch and all the dedicated supporters on the sidelines.  Three games kicked off at the first game time of 6.30pm, followed by a further five games at each of the following times of 7.15pm, 8.00pm and 8.45pm.  One of the refs commented on the high standards of the teams this Season, with teams having improved vastly since last year.

The competition certainly kicked of with a blast with the Strandvestites taking on a new team from Ballina called the Rat Pack, this was to be a much anticipated game as the Strandvestites are one of the strongest teams in the league with many players having played tag for several years.  With 6 female trys from the standvestites to 1 female try from the Rat pack it was an exciting game, but the Strandvestites took the win at 17 points to 5.

We saw a strong crowd take over the rugby club at 7.15pm as the next round of games kicked off.  The regulars of Fairly Lively were up against last years runners up Guten Tag.  This was also a very exciting game, with Fairly Lively having no subs they put up a strong game for 40mins.  However Guten Tag took the lead with a win of 18 points to 14, having secured 4 female trys.

The 8.00pm games had a number of new teams entering the Tag field for the first time competing in the beginners league.  The Socialites were up against the Stiefel Scrummers; with no subs for the Stiefel Scrummers it was always going to be a tough game.  The Socialites took full advantage of their full panel and at half time took a good lead.  As both teams are new to Tag Rugby the help of ref Gavin Foley explaining the laws quite clearly was much appreciated by each side.  Although it was a tough game for both, the Socialites took a good win of 19 points to 10.

The final set of games began at 8.45pm; the new fifth pitch was certainly used to its full potential.  Trickys Try Hards were up against Indecisive Tagstards.  Trickys Try Hards pulled out all the tactics that they had learned and developed from last year and took a great win by 21 points to 5.  At the same time another game was taking place between the Generals and Tagtastic.   As both teams had played in previous seasons it was a very exhilarating game for both of the sides.  But the Generals showed their strength by taking the win 11 points to 9.

Thankfully the sun stayed out just in time for the final whistle to be blown on the last of the evenings games.  Crepes were available last night by Chez Phillipe, who is based in his cafe in the court yard on Teeling Street.    There was also a selection of food on offer from the catering van of Percision Catering.   Both Chez Phillipe and Percision Catering will be serving food to all the hunger taggers throughout the eleven weeks.   Lee Munn on guitar supplied the entertainment in the clubhouse, this was generously sponsored by JAKO.

Please note:
Sligo Tag Rugby is an Over 18s Event.
Players are not permitted to wear any jewellery (including glasses)during the games.
All players must wear Tag Shorts.

Reminder of some RULES:
4.4 The marker must stand directly in front of the ruck ball.  The marker and the defensive line can only move forward when the ball is touched/played by the scrum half. Sanction: penalty

5.8 An attacker may receive a pass behind their own try line or may run behind their own  try line when in possession of the ball. If an attacker is tagged behind their own tryline, the attacking team shall restart play with a Drop-Kick from the centre of their tryline.

5.9 The srumhalf can pass or kick the ball with only one tag on as long as they do so immediately (one step) .

5.16 If the scrum half is not in position within 3 seconds of the ball being played at a ruck ball, a changeover will be awarded to the defending team.  The Referee will determine the time period.

5.17 if the ball carrier executes a voluntary tag by deliberately playing a Ruck Ball with both tags intact, the defending team are award a penalty.

6 In open play the ball may only be kicked from hand and while it is on the ground or while it is in the air having hit the ground. Sanction :penalty

6.13 The Attacking team may kick the ball at any time while in possession.  The ball must not go higher than the referees shoulders for a grubber kick.

6.19 if the ball is kicked and bounces in the field of play and crosses the receiving teams tryline they will receive a Changeover ten meters out from the tryline the centre of the field.

6.24 If a Grubber kick travels higher than 1.5 metre, a penalty will be awarded to the defending team at the place where the ball was kicked.

6.25 If the ball is kicked and it goes out of the field of play in the full, the receiving team will receive a changeover at the poing where the kick was taken.

The contact details for Sligo Tag: sligotag@gmail.com or join us on facebook/sligotag.

Sligo Rugby Club Supports National Concussion Campaign

Published on May 5, 2011 in News. Closed

Sligo rugby player, and Connacht Community Rugby Officer Gavin Foley, was at hand last weekend to show his support to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s Concussion Awareness campaign Concussion.ie. Sligo Picture Framing and Art Gallery owner Kevin Woods was also present to hand over a framed Irish rugby jersey, autographed by the RBS Six Nations 2011 Irish rugby team. Local businessman Kevin Woods donated his time to frame the jersey free of charge, in the hope it will raise much funds for the organisation, through a national fundraising event later this summer.

 

ABI Ireland launched their Mind Your Head in Sport campaign last October whereby they began reaching out to players, coaches and parents, asking them to ensure protective headgear was being worn whilst playing sport. The campaign also stresses the importance of players and coaches to become aware of the injury of concussion; educating themselves on the relevant signs and symptoms.

Following the recent retirement of Leinster and Ireland rugby players John Fogarty and Bernard Jackman the issue of concussion became a topical subject of conversation amongst the media. Realisation of the lack of awareness and education amongst players and coaches alike, in relation to the issue of concussion, became both evident and questionable.

As such brain injury specialists Acquired Brain Injury Ireland have outlined guidelines for best practice concussion management through their Concussion Awareness Education Campaign; Concussion.ie. Concussion.ie is committed to become the home of concussion information; answering the questions that coaches and mentors have about concussion; while also setting aside recommendations for best practice guidelines.

ABI Ireland Communications Executive Karen O’ Boyle spoke to Gavin Foley about the campaign highlighting the need for further education “The game is now faster and the players even stronger; the hits are much more hard hitting. Players have become their own worst enemies, and so now need to be protected from themselves. They are not honest with their coaches, and they are not honest with themselves; no-one will volunteer to sit out to a ‘hard hit’, to them it is just part of the game. It is now up to the coach to take them out, insisting the player is rested”, she said.

“Any player who continues to play while concussed, or returns to play too soon after a concussion increase their risk of suffering from second impact syndrome (SIS). SIS is where a second concussion occurs before a first concussion has properly healed, causing rapid and severe brain swelling. Concussion.ie hopes to make players aware of the hits they are taking, and the impact it may be causing to the brain”, added O’ Boyle.

ABI Ireland ambassadors John Fogarty and Bernard Jackman have lived with, and know too well, the severe side effects caused from repeat concussion in their rugby careers. Both Fogarty and Jackman have become the faces of Concussion.ie, in the hope that we can bring about a significant cultural change toward the issue of concussion, and effective concussion management. Across the board our sporting bodies need a cultural change; finally making it acceptable for players to actually admit they have been concussed, and taking a break!

For more information on Concussion signs, symptoms and return to play guidelines see www.concussion.ie

5 Sligo players star for Connacht Juniors in their victory over Ulster at the weekend

Published on May 4, 2011 in Match Reports, News and Senior. Closed

Junior Interprovincial Rugby

Connacht   36  Ulster 12

Video highlights here – Junior Inter-Pro Connacht V’s Ulster

Full match photo gallery here – Sporting Occasions

Connacht got their Interpro campaign off to a flying start with a comfortable win over Ulster in Tuam on Saturday.

Playing against a strong wind in the first half Connacht set out their stall early by dominating the set piece, especially the scrum, where the home side’s front row of Wesley Maxwell, Martin Lee and Tom Toolan had their Ulster opponents in all sorts of trouble.
Connacht outhalf Ger O’Connor opened the scoring after 15 minutes when he converted a penalty from 35 meters. A period of territorial dominance followed for Connacht but it was not until the 35th minute that they added to their total. A series of scrum collapses near the Ulster line led to a warning for Ulster loosehead Matt Wilson. Connacht elected to for a further scrum from the ensuing penalty and when it collapsed once more referee Will O’Connor had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try. O’Connor converted to leave the score 10-0 in Connacht’s favour.
Connacht lost prop Wesley Maxwell with a shoulder injury shortly before half time and he was replaced by Doran McHugh. The score stayed at 10 -0 at the half time whistle.
Coach Seamus King introduced Paddy Pearson at outhalf at the start of the second half and he immediately put Ulster under pressure with some excellent tactical kicking. Five minutes into the second half Ulster had made their way into the Connacht half but a wayward pass from Ulster centre Colin Atkinson was intercepted by Connacht winger and he ran over 70 metres to touch down for an excellent try in the corner. Paddy Pearson kicked an incredible conversion from the sideline to leave the score at 17 -0. An injury to second row Dave Hansberry led to his replacement by Jamie Bowes and two minutes later he was involved in a series of rucks and mauls which eventually led to scrum half Mickey Murphy putting Aaron Spring through a gap in the centre enabling the winger to power through two tackles to touch down in the corner. Paddy Pearson again converted brilliantly and this sealed the game for Connacht who were now 24-0 ahead with just 20 minutes left.


Connacht weren’t finished however and on 63 minutes Paddy Pearson put Dave Prior away with a lovely skip pass and Prior beat two men to score Connacht’s all important bonus point fourth try. Pearson was unlucky to miss the tricky conversion and with a lead of 29-0 Connacht began to empty the bench.
With 12 minutes left to go Flanker Eoin Rooney made a break which ended with Rory O’Connor taking the pass to run in for his second try. Paddy Pearson certainly had his kicking boots on as he sent over his third touchline conversion to put Connacht 36 -0 up.
The last ten minutes saw Ulster restore some pride with tries from Gary Hall and David Sharkey, one of which was converted by Ulster outhalf Adam Parke. Indeed Parke’s conversion was the last kick of the game.
This was a tremendous start for Connacht and they now travel to Donnybrook to play Leinster next Saturday at 2.30pm. Indeed this could be the deciding match of the championship as Leinster also had a bonus point win over Munster on Friday night on a 30-24 score line.
There has only been a single score between the sides in the last two years so another close tussle is forecast but with Connacht perhaps coming out in front this year.

Connacht:  Kevin Higgins (Monivea) (Capt.), Rory O’Connor (Monivea), Dave Prior (Monivea), Mata Fafita (Sligo), Aaron Spring (Sligo), Ger O’Connor (Monivea), Mickey Murphy (Ballina), Wesley Maxwell (Sligo), Martin Lee (Corrib), Tom Toolan (Ballina), Dave Hansberry (OLBC), Wille Parker (Monivea), Eoin Rooney (Monivea), Mike Ward (Tuam)
Subs Doran McHugh (OLBC), Ronan Coughlan (Monivea), Brian Murphy (Monivea), Jamie Bowes (Sligo), Paddy Pearson (Sligo), Tom Ellard (Westport), John Culkin (Monivea)