Sligo’s U16s powered their way into the final of the Connacht U16 league with a superb team performance against a strong Buccaneers outfit at Strandhill on Sunday.
The home team scored four tries without reply on their way to a convincing victory.
Buccaneers kicked off and immediately put the home outfit under pressure, but some fine driving play by Sligo forwards Diarmuid O Dowd Hill and Jamie Mc Govern gave outhalf Enda Gavin the space to clear his lines and avert the danger. Continue reading ‘Sixteens Power to Final’
At Hamilton Park last Sunday Sligo brushed aside a Buccaneers side in a clinical display that showed forward dominance and back play of the highest calibre. They scored eight trys with six conversions in a wonderfully entertaining display that had quality written all over it. After last weeks superb display against high flyers Monivea the confidence was high and this showed from the off giving there opponents nothing easy and putting pressure all over the park which yielded scores from an early stage.
Sligo progressed to the quarter finals of the Heineken Connacht Junior cup when they defeated pre-tournament favourites and current title holders Monivea in a superbly contested encounter at Hamilton park, Strandhill on Sunday. The home team produced a performance full of character and determination to impose themselves and ultimately dominate the visiting Galway men. A large crowd of supporters from both camps witnessed a hugely physical,
but always sporting , battle between the teams currently occupying the top two positions in the Connacht Junior league.
John Callaghan President of the IRFU visited Sligo to attend the Sligo v Tuam Junior game on Sunday last. John Callaghan from the Armagh club as part of his year in office has decided that he should visit as many clubs as possible and Sligo RFC were honoured by his presence. He enjoyed the game which he thoroughly enjoyed and is a big supporter of the grassroots game all over Ireland. More photos available on facebook.
Sligo slumped to their first Connacht Junior league defeat of the season when they were beaten by a well organised Corinthian outfit at Cloonacauneen on Sunday.
A late Corinthian try broke the hearts of the visitors who led by 2 points with 3 minutes left on the clock. Corinthians kicked the game off and Sligo immediately went on the front foot with a superb catch from Jason East before driving into the heart of the tribesmens defence. Some good positional kicking gave Sligo a foothold in the blues half. A series of rucks ensued before Sligo were awarded a penalty on the home 10 metre line. Paddy Pearson stepped up and bisected the posts with a well judged effort. Continue reading ‘Heartbreak in Galway’
Sligo made it six wins from six matches when they overcame a previously unbeaten Corrib outfit in a tough Connacht junior league encounter at Hamilton Park on Sunday. The home team need a big second half performance in which they scored three tries to overcome their tenacious visitors.
Corrib won the toss and elected to play with the aid of the strong breeze in the opening half. The opening exchanges were dominated by the visitors as they used their well organised pick and drive game to work their way into the Sligo half. Their scrum was causing difficulties for Sligo and their lineout was functioning effectively.This early dominance was rewarded on 17 minutes with a penalty on the Sligo 10 metre line but the kicked effort drifted wide of the Sligo posts. Continue reading ‘Sligo make it Six from Six’
Persistent rain through the night and early morning resulted in very slippery conditions for Sligo’s third outing in the U-17 League. Last season both the U15 and U16 teams travelled to Westport and conceded league points. However, there was a palpable resolve in the Sligo camp to prevent a recurrence in this season’s campaign.
The conditions made it difficult for players to settle into the game and the opening minutes same handling errors on both sides. A dream start for the visitors seemed on the way when, five minutes into game, Sligo recycled possession a number of times and sent Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill powering towards the line with out-half Michael Martin and winger David Burke in support. David received the ball 10 metres from the line and crossed over for a touchdown but play was called back for an infringement. Continue reading ‘Sligo U-17’s Grind Out Result’
Sligo made it five wins from five in the Connacht Junior league division 1A with a well deserved victory over the Westport Bulls at a rain soaked Carrowholly on Sunday .With conditions making it difficult to play expansive rugby Sligo managed to score two tries without reply from the home team.
Sligo kicked off and immediately tried to impose their running game on the mayo men but did not gain any reward for their adventure. Westport countered and some good tactical kicking gained them a foothold in the Sligo 22, where the referee penalised the visitors for holding on, on the ground. Home outhalf Eddie Walsh took full advantage with a well struck penalty to give his team a 3-0 lead after three minutes. Continue reading ‘Five from Five!’
Sligo cemented their place at the top of division 1A of the Connacht Junior league with a bonus point victory over Galway visitors Our Lady’s Boys Club at Hamilton park, Strandhill on Sunday. The north westerners scored six tries without reply on their way to a comprehensive victory.
Sligo RFC First XV v OLBC
The home team were superior in both scrum and lineout but it was the work of their exciting backline that put the visitors to the sword. With conditions tailor made for running rugby Sligo made a dream start.
Paddy Pearson’s long kick off ensured the home team were awarded a line out on the ten metre line. Hooker Ross Mannion’s accurate throw was collected by James Wilson and the ball was quickly transferred to scrum half Billy Leahy. Leahy released Pearson who brilliantly dummied and stepped inside the onrushing defence before accelerating past the cover to touch down between the posts. Outside centre, Jack Macklin, easily converted to put the home team 7 points to the good. Continue reading ‘Another Maximum for Sligo’
Sligo’s flagship team kicked off their Connacht junior league division one campaign with a magnificent 7 try demolition of Galwegians at Hamilton park, Strandhill on Sunday. Producing a super display of 15 man rugby Sligo earned maximum points to start the campaign in ideal fashion.
Galwegians won the toss and elected to play with the breeze in the first half.Out-Half Paddy Pearson, who made his return to the Yeats county side following a serious accident last season, kicked deep and the home defence immediately put the visitors under pressure in their own half. This concerted pressure was rewarded, when the locals were awarded a scrum outside the visitors 22 after 3 minutes. No. 8 Trevor Sweeney picked and linked up with flanker Cathal Culhane who drove at the heart of the tribesmens defence. A quick recycle saw the ball moved through the backline to the awaiting arms of winger Julian Rippon who rounded his opposite number to touch down for the opening score in the corner. The conversion attempt fell short to leave the home side 5 points ahead. Continue reading ‘Bonus start for Sligo’
The President of Sligo RFC, Brendan Leahy, and the Chairman of the organising Sub-Committee, Tom Gilligan, on behalf of the Sub-Committee, wish to thank those who supported the table quiz in aid of the Stuart Mangan Trust, held on Tuesday evening last in the Glasshouse Hotel. They also wish to thank all who made financial contributions, and are extremely grateful to the business community for very generously donating prizes for the raffle held on that evening.
The Club EGM and subsequent AGM were held on Friday night last at 7:30pm and 8pm respectively.
The new Club Constitution was unanimously adopted by the members attending the EGM. President Conor Frazer in his address to the members paid tribute to the efforts of immediate past president Tom Gilligan and his sub-committee who were responsible for drafting the constitution which has now been modernised to reflect the present Club structures and standards.
The AGM was then held immediately after the EGM and the meeting proceeded under the new constitution. Outgoing President Conor Frazer thanked all of the hard working committee members and acknowledged the success of the season on the field in all areas of the club from Juveniles to Youths to Seniors.
