Sligo U-14s traveled to Athlone to face a tough Buccaneers outfit last Saturday in the Connacht U14 League semi-final. Sligo finished the pool stages of the league as runners up in the Northern section while Buccaneers ran out winners of the Southern section. A titanic struggle was expected in grueling conditions and the game didn’t disappoint. Sligo settled the better early on and some good attacking moves from their dangerous backline saw them take the game to the home side. Continue reading ‘U14s Suffer Narrow Defeat in Semi-Final’
Archive for the 'Photos' Category
Page 3 of 8
Sligo 0 Monivea 0
The highly anticipated clash between the top two in JL1 ended in a fiercely contested 0-0 draw in dreadful conditions in Hamilton Park, Strandhill on Sunday.
A massive crowd saw too excellent junior sides battle the elements as well as each other to produce a gritty but entertaining contest. Monivea came to Sligo intent on delivering a first league defeat to the home side, signaling their intent by traveling down the night before the game. Continue reading ‘Heavyweight Battle Ends In Dour Draw’
With Sligo U14s the solitary Sligo side in action this weekend all eyes were on Hamilton Park as the U14s attempted to consolidate their strong league position against a useful Westport side. Sligo started slowly and were soon under pressure but the strong Sligo defence ensured that no early tries were conceded. Continue reading ‘U14s Narrowly Defeated In Hamilton Park Thriller’
OLBC 3 – Sligo 9
A determined Sligo side remained unbeaten after another solid, yet unspectacular victory away to OLBC on Sunday December 7th. So far this season it has been a case of one narrow result after another for a Sligo side that despite sitting top of the league continues to have their title credential questioned in certain Connacht quarters. Nine points from the boot of fullback David Gerrity were enough to secure the points, as Sligo’s forwards dominated upfront. Continue reading ‘Solid Sligo Battle To Boys Club Victory’
British & Irish Lions legends and HSBC ambassadors Brian O’Driscoll and Jason Robinson launched the Irish element of the world’s largest rugby union grass roots initiative, the HSBC Rugby Festivals, at Terenure College in Dublin in October. Some of the Sligo U12s were there and featured in the In Touch magazine article. [Photos]
Friday night’s racenight fundraiser in The Strand Bar for the injured Paddy Pearson proved a massive success with club members, locals, and many others turning out in force to ensure that a substantial sum was raised. Paddy, our New Zealand born out-half, was badly burned in an incident just before Halloween when his heroic efforts in attempting to save a team-mate who had caught fire tragically led to his own injury. Paddy, who having only arrived this season, had already major a huge impact at the club where he is sadly missed on and off the field. Continue reading ‘Pearson Fundraiser Proves Great Success’
Sligo 10 – Tuam 7
League leaders Sligo were given a major fright by a determined Tuam side in their Halloween weekend fixture as they struggled to an unconvincing 10-7 victory on Sunday last, November 2nd, in Hamilton Park. Fresh from their bye-week, Sligo were looking to make this their best start to a season in recent memory but were expecting a battle against a Tuam side that were looking to make in three wins in a row following impressive victories over Ballina and OLBC. Sligo were forced into a few changes from the side that defeated Castlebar in their last outing, not least the loss of their hugely influential out-half Paddy Pearson who is unfortunately out for the rest of the season. Pearson was replaced at ten by the returning Kakaber Machitidze, who was joined in the backline by the tricky David Gerrity, fully recovered from injury. Sligo also welcomed back star forward, James Wilson, whose lineout ability has been one of the key features of Sligo’s unbeaten start to the season. Club stalwart Peter Mullan switched to number eight, with Joe Sweeney and Mataele Fifita making up a big-hitting back-row.
Cheered on by large home support, enjoying the benign weather conditions, Sligo looked to make a quick start, and had an early opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty 35m out. However Machitidze, looking to add to the 32 points he had already contributed this season, pulled his kick narrowly wide. Sligo continued to press and on ten minutes a great drive inside his own half by the industrious Jamie Bowes allowed Sligo’s backs to move the ball wide where good hands from Gavin Foley and Joe Sweeney released the towering Tongan, Fifita, on the half way line. Storming down the left touchline, two huge hand-offs saw him smash his way through the hapless Tuam defence, all the way to the line for a wonderful individual try.
A panel of twenty-one Sligo U14 players arrived at Castlebar on last Wednesday evening to play the match that had been scheduled, due to weather conditions, to take place on the previous Saturday.
Sligo started in a very determined fashion and with the pack leading the way, Sligo ran in two quick tries and one conversion to lead 0-12. This clearly unsettled Castlebar, and within another ten minutes Sligo had added and converted a try between the posts. Castlebar appeared to be unable to capitalise on any penalties awarded against Sligo, and had frequently either lost possession in open play or at the scrum. In direct consequence, just before the half-time whistle Sligo again regained possession of the ball and ran in their fourth try, leaving the score at 0-24 to Sligo at the break.
Sligo 13 – Ballina 6
Sligo’s recorded a gritty win over local rivals Ballina in a dour, hard-fought encounter at Hamilton Park last Saturday, September 27th. Following Sligo’s impressive opening day victory away to Buccaneers, hopes were high amongst the large home crowd for a similar display against a Ballina team who also had an opening day away win to their name. Sligo made three changes from the squad for the Buccaneers game, hit by the late withdrawal of influential vice-captain David Greene, who failed a pre-match fitness test and who was replaced in the back-row by Jamie Bowes. Andrew Feeney and Joe Sweeney were also recalled to the squad with both on substitute duty. Sligo lost last years corresponding fixture by 6-3 and a similar close encounter was expected.
Sligo began brightly and some early attacks asked questions of the Ballina defence. A good break by lightening fast winger, David Gerrity, led to a Ballina infringement for offside and an early Sligo penalty. Fullback Kakaber Machitidze, who was faultless last week with a 100% display from the boot, took the kick but in a stiff breeze his effort dragged wide. Sligo continued to press and with Sligo’s set pieces again looking solid, they took the game to Ballina but despite their efforts were unable to create any scoring opportunities. The away side made their first foray into Sligo territory on ten minutes when they forced a line-out only five metres out, however Sligo’s tight defence drove them back. Ballina retained possession and an excellent break down the right touchline by their backline saw Sligo winger, Nick Reynolds, make an important tackle and force his opposing number into touch. From this line-out Sligo regrouped and an angled kick from centre Gavin Foley pushed Ballina back to their own 5m line. Sligo’s lineout dominance continued when they forced a Ballina infringement and were rewarded with a penalty 5m out. This was ambitiously kicked to the corner as they sought the games opening try. The lineout was won, but the Sligo drive was held up by a committed Ballina defence. A knock on saw Sligo’s frustrations spill over and a brief interchange between Sligo prop Adrian McHale and Ballina’s Paul Neary saw both men sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.
Sligo took the game to Ballina upfront and their dominance in the tight led to a series of attacking scrums deep inside the Ballina 22m. The rain began to engulf Hamilton Park halfway through the half as the Sligo pack turned the screw on their opposing eight. On their third scrum on the Ballina 5m line, Sligo tried to spread it wide but a handling error saw the ball go loose, but luckily it fell to fullback Machitidze whose quick thinking saw him pop over an opportunist drop goal from 15m out to hand Sligo a deserved 3-0 lead. Ballina were handed their first points scoring opportunity straight from the restart when a Sligo mistake led to a Ballina penalty in front of the posts. However out half Cory Brown let Sligo off the hook, pulling his kick wide. He had a chance to atone for his error minutes later when Sligo conceded another penalty but this time his gallant effort from 40m out again fell just short. From the drop out Sligo slowed Ballina’s ball, and some illegal use of the boot from the frustrated Ballina hooker, Richard Kelly, saw him sent to the bin. Sligo’s lineout which was completely dominant in this half was again called into action from the resulting penalty and Ballina could only stop them illegally and conceded a penalty within kicking range. Machitidze stepped up and struck his kick sweetly between the posts to extend Sligo’s lead to 6-0.
The final ten minutes of the half saw Ballina begin to get a foothold in the game, as they tried to open up the game with out half Brown becoming more influential and a number of his impressive breaks led to the Sligo defence becoming severely tested. One of these breaks led to another penalty for the away side but again they couldn’t convert. Ballina tried to penetrate the Sligo tryline but some huge hits and hard work drove them back, with captain Ross Mannion leading by example with some fine defensive work. In injury time Ballina again pressed but a relieving clearance kick moved possession back in to the Ballina half, and a brave chargedown by Gerrity saw Sligo out half Paddy Pearson hack on and turn defence into attack. Retaining the ball, Sligo drove forward in numbers with James Wilson and Jamie Bowes making vital yards. Sligo suddenly added width when Pearson released Gavin Foley, whose sweet flick pass found Fifita loitering with intent out wide on the 22 and the powerful Tongan charged at the line, breaking three tackles as he crashed over for a vital try. Machitidze added the extras and Sligo grabbed a 13-0 halftime lead.
Ballina who would surely have felt aggrieved conceding a score against the run of play, were dealt a further blow when the superb Brown was unable to continue after the break due to a nasty looking hand injury, This led to a backline reshuffle for the away side with substitute James Cawley joining the fray. However Ballina started the second half showing no signs of any discontent when forcing an early penalty but were again disappointed when the kick dragged wide. The first ten minutes of the half were frantic and error strewn with both sides creating little. Ballina finally opened their account on 57 minutes when a Sligo infringement led to a penalty 22m out and fullback Andrew Moynihan slotted over to make it 13-3. Sligo looked distracted and further ill discipline saw them hand Moynihan another kickable opportunity, and he made no mistake this time with another three points to leave only a converted try between the teams. It was all Ballina now, and a penalty kicked to the corner saw them drive at the line, and a number of phases saw Sligo’s organised defence again called into action. This concerted pressure ended when Moynihan attempted an ambitious drop goal which came up short as Sligo began to grimly try to hold on.
As the game entered the last ten minutes, the away side continued to attack and urged on by their travelling support forced Sligo’s Nick Reynolds to take an excellent mark inside his own 22m. His kick however did not relieve the pressure and a six-phase attack saw Ballina again drive forward and an incisive break by their winger Simon Wade was only stopped by a last-gasp tackle by Pearson. Searching desperately for a try, Ballina poured forward, but Sligo’s immense defence was impenetrable. The pressure was relieved with a break by Gerrity, followed by a trademark Fifita drive. With possession on their oppositions 22m line, Foley chipped through but was hit late, presenting Machitidze with a penalty to secure the points. However he uncharacteristically pulled it to the right to give Ballina one last attack with time almost up. A break down the left gave them a chance, but a hard tackle by Reynolds forced a turnover and the referee blew for full time.
Sligo made hard work of this game from a commanding position at half-time and coach Joe Walsh will be worried by Sligo’s lacklustre final quarter to both their opening games. Sligo looked distracted in the second half and combined with the gallant Ballina efforts were lucky to hold on. Ballina were left ruing their missed chances with a lack of success from goal kicks proving vital as well as the injury to the influential Brown. However Sligo can take great heart in their defence which was well organised and superb. The tough pre-season defensive work was evident with each defensive phase tight and every channel looked secure. Mannion was excellent in the tight, with James Wilson also having a huge performance both in attack and defence. Fifita was again prominent making the hard yards and crucially getting the games only try. The much used cliché that a win is a win is deserving of being wheeled out here and Sligo can take great heart in the fact they can not fire on all cylinders and still get a result. It also says a lot about the ambition of Sligo’s coaching staff and players this year when a hard-fought home victory against local rivals is not seen as enough.
Man of the match awarded to Mataele Fifita
Scoring Sequence – 22 mins: Machitidze DG 3-0, 28 mins: Machitidze pen 6-0, 40 mins: Fifita try, Machitize con 13-0, 57 mins: Moynihan pen 13-3, 65 mins: Moynihan pen 13-6.
Sligo – A McHale, R Mannion (C), M Feeney, P Mullan, J Wilson, C Culhane, J Bowes, M Fifita, B Leahy, P Pearson, N Reynolds, G Foley, A Taureareawa, D Gerrity, K Machitize.
Replacements – A Feeney, G Conneely, J Sweeney (All used)
Ballina – A Moynihan, S Wade, D Newman, I Thornton, D Howley, C Brown, M Murphy, A McNulty, P Timoney, P Neary, C Forde, D Carribine, A Brown, R Kelly, T Tolan.
Replacements – C Melvin, M Kneafsey, J Cawley (All used)
Buccaneers 15 – Sligo 22
The opening day of any season is one often filled with anticipation, excitement, and even fear. No matter what the sport a season curtain-raiser allows players, coaches and fans alike to dream about what might be. Dublin GAA fans, Spurs soccer fans, and Leinster rugby fans know only too well how quickly this sense of eternal optimism can be dashed as their team stutters to kick their season into gear. With these mixed feelings of anticipation and trepidation, Sligo travelled to Dubarry Park in Athlone to kick off their season against the formidable firepower of Buccaneers. Sligo had failed to win away from home last season, and faced a tough task against a Buccaneers side that boasted an impressive mix of youth and experience.
Sligo started with a near full strength line-up that included a number of new faces, with Mataele Fafita, Andre Taurerewa and Paddy Pearson all making their debut in the red jerseys. In ideal conditions for rugby Sligo began brightly and within two minutes some excellent offensive defence work forced Buccaneers to cough up a penalty on their 22m line in front of the posts. Full back Kaka Machitidze confidently struck his kick over to hand Sligo an early 3-0 lead. Straight from the restart Buccaneers forced their way into Sligo territory and won a penalty deep in Sligo territory, surprisingly they kicked to the corner and won a line-out on the Sligo 5m line. However, setting the tone for the first half, Sligo defended superbly and some big hits forced a turnover. Sligo moved forward and began to test the Buccaneers defence. This pressure was finally turned into points when a well placed tactical kick by out-half Paddy Pearson led to Sligo turning over a Buccaneers lineout 10m out and the forwards drove their way powerfully over the line to force the game’s opening score. Flanker Cathal Culhane was the man who emerged from the maul with the credit for the score. Kaka Machitidze made no mistake with the difficult conversion and Sligo moved into a commanding 10-0 lead with ten minutes on the clock.
The early encounters had been played a fearsome pace and this did not relent as Buccaneers retaliated quickly to Sligo’s unexpected start with another penalty kicked to touch and rewarded with a line out 5m from the Sligo line. A pre-planned line out routine looked to contain a forward pass but it was missed by the referee and Buccaneers drove over to register their first score of the season. The conversion was missed cutting Sligo’s lead to 10-5. Unfazed by the controversial score, Sligo pressurised straight from the restart and a huge hit by Tongan No.8 Mataele Fafita won Sligo a penalty 30m out. This was again expertly put away by the unflappable Kaka Machitidze to push Sligo 13-5 ahead. The game was now end to end with both teams taking advantage of the new ELVs to produce some free flowing rugby with both teams looking dangerous in attack. Scrum-half Billy Leahy produced a turnover from a Buccaneers scrum and Sligo attacked down the right flank with winger David Gerrity and James Wilson combining to nearly force another try which was only narrowly denied by an excellent try-saving tackle.
Sligo’s aggressive defence was proving the key to the first half with big hits and hard work in the loose laying the foundations for the team to build on. On the half hour mark again this aggression turned defence into attack, winning a penalty 30m out when a Buccaneers player was penalised for not releasing. Machitidze was making kicking look easy in the benign conditions and this one was no different as he bisected the posts once more to push Sligo 16-5 in front. Machitidze added another penalty shortly after from an infringement in a ruck as Sligo’s industrious first half work continued as Buccaneers began to get frustrated. This frustation boiled over in first half injury time as a Buccaneers player was extremely fortunate to get away with a disgraceful two-footed stamp on a prone Sligo player. On video evidence this looked a certain red card if spotted by the referee. Following a slight melee between both sets of players following this ugly incident the referee blew for half time with Sligo leading impressively by 19-5.
Sligo started the 2nd half just as they had finished the first, the pack working hard to steal a Buccaneers line out and a sharp break by Fafita gave Sligo a promising attacking lineout on the Buccaneers 22m line. This lineout was pulled down and Sligo were again rewarded with an early penalty. Machitidze made it six out of six for the day with another accurate kick to increase Sligo’s lead to 22-5. Sligo piled on the pressure and another break, this time from new centre, Andre Taurerewa, gave winger Nick Reynolds a chance to show his pace down the left wing. Reynolds kicked through and only some desperate last-gasp defending from Buccaneers stopped Sligo from scoring their second try of the afternoon. Sligo continued to pressurise the line with Fafita and Wilson making some great headway as Sligo dominated the early exchanges of the half. Buccaneers looked rocked and the rest of the game appeared to be a formality for a Sligo side in complete control.
However the momentum of the entire game was changed by a sensational Buccaneers try on the hour mark. Their backline which up until this point had been very quiet suddenly exploded with a break from their outhalf, Andrew Hayman, he linked up well with a number of support runners and two quality offloads led to Buccaneers No.8 Mark Madden going over in the corner for a vital score. This score inspired the home side and with Hayman becoming increasingly influential they started to get on top and take the game to a Sligo side that were starting to look a little jaded. Sligo’s cause was not helped by a harsh yellow card to flanker Cathal Culhane on 75 minutes for a late tackle, and Buccaneers continued to attack in an effort to secure a bonus point. This point was attained with three minutes remaining as the pressure finally told on the defiant Sligo defence when a quick penalty led to a Buccaneers try in the corner to close Sligo’s lead to 22-15. Suddenly a game that seemed dead on the hour now looked wide open, and with a vocal home support behind them Buccaneers went in search of a match saving score. Thankfully for Sligo a knock-on when in good position by Buccaneers signalled the end of the game and a relieved Sligo registered their first away win in over a year by a final score of 22-15.
As season openers go this was an excellent victory on a ground where results have not been favourable to Sligo in the past. For an hour they looked like a side going places with forwards Fafita and Wilson to the fore, and captain Ross Mannion influential in the loose. Pearson looked assured at outhalf with his distribution and tactical kicking good, while in fullback Machitidze Sligo have a reliable and deadly place kicker. They dominated the set pieces with their scrum in particular looking strong; the forwards looked well drilled and punished the home side with their aggressive rucking and defence. The final quarter of the game was error-strewn by Sligo and mixed with some ill discipline this allowed Buccaneers back into a game that looked over at half-time. This can be put down to Sligo’s lack of match practice and with this opening game under their belt, Sligo coach Joe Walsh will be looking to continue this form in the upcoming league games. As Sligo RFC president Conor Frazer commented after the game it “was a great start and provides a platform to build on for rest of the season�. And for the many Sligo supporters in attendance it allowed them to continue to look forward with anticipation to the rest of the season, with any trepidation quickly blown away by the exciting, flowing rugby shown in that promising first hour.
Here are some photos of the recent ‘friendly’ Tag Rugby match between Cregg House and The Slow Coaches – you will note that both sides comprise of the wider O’Hehir family – young and old! The Slow Coaches are made up of the Club’s Juvenile and Youth coaches and others.
The game was held in high spirits on a beautiful Sat evening (20/09/08) at the Club with festivities late into the night at Kelly’s in Strandhill. While the pacier Slow Coaches side saw victory on the playing field, Cregg House lasted the pace a little better in Kelly’s.
Let’s hope the tradition continues as the game saw a great mix of generations and range of skills!
It is a sure sign that Rugby season is truly underway when the U-13s make their pilgrimage to Limerick for the 20 team annual Pat Lawler tournament. This season’s tournament was slightly different in that the Munster branch have changed their qualifying date of birth from July 1st to January 1st which meant that Sligo had to assemble a Squad consisting of a mixture of U-13s and U-14s. And though this group of players had not played together before it is a credit to them that they gelled so well and produced some top drawer rugby.
The opening cermony commenced at 10.30 with welcome greetings from the Mayor of Limerick and newly appointed Munster coach Tony McGahan. The traditional parade followed and then it was down to the real rugby business.
Sligo were drawn in a tough group with hosts UL Bohemians, Tralee RFC, Young Munster and Limerick club Richmond so it was clear that they would have to be at their best to make an impact on the competition. First game up was against the Hosts UL Bohemians. As with all encounters with Munster teams the game was played with a huge level of physicality and commitment with both sides generating scoring chances before UL Bohs went ahead with 3 minutes left on the clock. Sligo were determined not to start the day on a losing note and following some great driving play by Eddie Burke were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the Bohs line. Quick thinking scrum half Stephen Kerins fed the hard driving Leigh Dunne who burst through the Bohs defence for the equalising score. Sligo put their opponents under huge pressure for the final moments of the game but the Bohs defence held out for a draw.
Next up came Tralee RFC. This time it was Sligo who took the initative with an early try from Eddie Burke. Tralee equalised through their pacy backline but Sligo worked their way back into the lead with a well worked score from Eddie Weaver. Sligo tried hard to capitalise on their dominance but the fast Tralee backs had the last word when right at the death they broke out of defence for an equalising score.
Young Munster were next for a Sligo side hungry for their first win and this time they were not going to be denied. Scores from the influential Peter Murray, the strong running Mark Gerrity, a brace from Leigh Dunne and one from the speedy Jack Selby saw Sligo run out 5-1 winners.
With their place in the Shield quarter final assured, Sligo faced Richmond in their last group game. The previous three tough games began to take their toll and Richmond’s physicality saw them defeat Sligo by 3 tries to 1 in a bruising encounter. Team captain Leigh Dunne again delivered the Sligo score.
The final points calculations saw Sligo pitted against Old Cresent in the Shield Quarter-final. Sligo began in determined fashion and went ahead with a superbly taken score by Stephen Kerins. Old Cresent responded with a try but Sligo were not to be denied and a Peter Murray try saw the march to the semi-finals.
Richmond awaited Sligo in the semi-final. Sligo were hungry for revenge and in what some neutrals described as the best perfomance by any team in the tournament, Sligo avenged the earlier defeat with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over the Limerick outfit. The prolific Dunne again graced the score sheet along with Murray, Weaver and Selby. A notable feature of this match were the performances of Dylan Feeney and Sean Hurley.
Cork Constitution awaited Sligo in the final. Unfortunately for Sligo they had to line up without the pacey Jack Selby who picked up a knock at the end of the semi-final. Con used this to their advantage and moved the ball to their fast men at every opportunity and soon were three tries ahead. However the brave Sligo outfit again proved their mettle and quickly got themselves on the scoresheet through a well worked Murray try. Tommy Jackson almost added a second moments later but was adjudged to have been bundled into touch before grounding the ball. Sligo camped on the Con line but earned no more reward for their efforts before the final whistle of a long day was blown.
A beaten but proud Sligo outfit were presented their runner up medals by Munster player Mossie Lawler at the end of a great day of rugby.
Along with those already mentioned Sligo were well served all day in the forwards by Killian Filan, Matthew Cosgrove, Rory Molloy and Conan O’Donnell and in the backline by Conor Greene and Ferdia Browne.
Aidan Buckley’s grandson, Tim, 3 years old, is preparing for his playing career with SRFC
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.
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!’
