Sligo remain at the top of the Connacht Junior league Division 1 when they secured their first ever  bonus point win over Athlone based side Buccaneers at Dubarry Park on Sunday.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsPQyck4tR4

The visitors racked up 5 Trys against the physical midlands outfit, who challenged them all the way to the final whistle. Buccaneers won the toss and elected to play with the aid of the breeze. Paddy Pearson’s high kick off was keenly contested by the Sligo pack and this early pressure gave them a foothold in the home teams half. The work of the pack was rewarded after 4 minutes when the ball was moved left to right across the backline on the Bucc’s 22. Quick ruck ball was produced and scrum half Billy Leahy switched the play back towards the left touchline. Fast hands saw the ball transferred to winger Julian Rippon who outpaced the cover and scored in the corner. Jack Macklin’s well struck conversion effort was narrowly wide. A perfect start for the visitors. From the kick off Sligo again went on the attack, bringing their backline into play at every opportunity but their enterprise was not rewarded as the final pass let them down on a number of occasions.

With 20 minutes gone on the clock a fine kick down the line by Pearson was bundled into touch 5 yards from the try line. James Wilson collected the lineout and the Sligo pack drove towards the line, but the maul was held up and the turnover was awarded to Bucc’s. A big drive by Sligo’s front row of Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely and Jason East put pressure on the home scrum forcing a loose clearance kick which was collected by full back Jordan Farrington. Farrington moved the ball infield where the awaiting Andrew Feeney sped past the defence to score between the posts. Pearson added the extras to put his team 12 point ahead.

Bucc’s again went on the attack and were awarded a penalty on the Sligo 22 after 25 minutes but hooker Marcus Maddens attempted kick went wide of the uprights. Pearson kick a long drop out which bucc’s attempted to run back at Sligo but fine work by flankers Cathal Culhane and Peter Mullan engineered the turnover on halfway and Leahy quickly linked up with his backline. Farrington was released in space and he glided through the cover to dot down under the crossbar. Macklin converted to advance his team’s advantage to 19-0. Once again Bucc’s responded and on the stroke of half time were awarded a penalty in almost the same position as their previously unsuccessful effort. Maddens kick struck the right hand upright and bounced back into play. Number eight Trevor Sweeney collected and safely cleared to touch.

Sligo began the second half on the attack with the forwards driving into the Bucc’s defence creating space for the backline to attack. Their strong play was rewarded after 10 minutes when an overthrown home lineout was stolen by Cathal Culhane who drove infield before linking up with prop forward Adrian Mc Hale. Mc Hale carried on the charge to set up Leahy to release the backline.  Pearson fed Farrington who darted through a gap before brilliantly off-loading inside to Rippon who raced to the corner for the bonus point score. Macklin was narrowly wide with a well struck conversion effort.

Sligo’s fifth try came with 15 minutes left on the clock. James Wilson superbly stole the Bucc’s throw in and moved the ball to Trevor Sweeney who drove forward before linking up with powerful Second Row Jamie Bowes. Bowes broke through a number of would be tacklers before diving over for a well deserved unconverted score. Bucc’s were stung into action and with 10 minutes left on the clock scored their only try. A penalty awarded 10 yards from the visitors line was tapped and driven by the midlanders pack the ball was recycled and powerful No 8 Adrian Hughes crashed over near the posts. Reserve winger Cormac Sheehy kicked the conversion to give a final score of  7-29 in favour of the north westerners.

Sligo’s junior league campaign continue next Sunday when they travel to Westport to take on the Westport bulls. Westport always provide a stern challenge, particularly at home, and will need to be at the top of their game to overcome the Mayo based outfit. Kick-off at Carrowholly is at 3 o clock.

Sligo. Jordan Farrington, Julian Rippon, Jack Macklin, Gavin Foley, Andrew Feeney, Paddy Pearson, Billy Leahy, Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely, Jason East, James Wilson, Jamie Bowes, Peter Mullan, Cathal Culhane, Trevor Sweeney. Replacements, Martin Feeney for Adrian Mc Hale, Ross Mannion for Jamie Bowes, Ted Mulvaney for Julian Rippon.

Buccaneers. Michael O Donoghue, Darren Costello, Declan Byrne, James O Connell, John O Shaughnessey, Terry Hynes, Brian Lennon, Greg Mc Gill, Marcus Madden, Benny Gilligan, Brendan mc Manus, Mark Coleman, David Downey, Colin Waters, Adrian Hughes. Replacements Darragh Lennon, Alan Hynes, Cormac Sheehy.

Be sure to check out the clubs YouTube channel for more great videos from this game.

Big thanks to Rory Raftery for putting this together. More SligoRFC videos can be found on the club’s Youtube channel here.

The visitors were a very useful, young outfit who showed plenty of attacking ability on the day, and outscored the home team by three tries to two but Sligo’s fullback David Gerrity’s three penalties and one conversion proved the difference between the teams. Speedy winger Rippon grabbed both of Sligo’s tries, and after an injury strewn season Rippon will be delighted to have his name back on the scoresheet.

Sligo will be happy to finish the season with a victory and Sunday’s result will be an important confidence booster for the upcoming vital Heineken Junior Cup Quarter-Final against arch-rivals Ballina. This win also caps Sligo’s most successful league campaign in recent years and while the players are sure to be disappointed to only finish 3rd having led for most of the season, they can take heart in their superb performances throughout the season and hopefully will be able to make a run in the upcoming cup competitions.

[ Match Photos ]

Sligo’s ten game unbeaten run finally came to an end on Sunday as they lost 21-5 to a superb Corinthians side in Corinthian Park. This win lifts the Galway side to the top of the table, and puts them firmly in the driving seat for the league title.

Despite going into the game unbeaten and league leaders, Sligo were very much the underdogs going into the game and it was the home side who lived up to their “favourites� tag with some intense early pressure. The home side signalled their intent early when they opted to turn down a kickable penalty chance to kick to touch and go for an early try from the resulting lineout. However Sligo were not over-awed and some excellent defence and big hits saw them weather the early Corinthians storm. In fact it was Sligo who had the best chance of the opening encounters when after ten minutes a training ground move off a Sligo lineout saw veteran out-half Gavin Foley link up with centre Andre Taurerewa whose delicate offload found the incisive line taken by the fullback David Gerrity who sliced through the Corinithans defence and found himself with only his opposing number to beat. Corinthians fullback Ronnie Ferguson made the important tackle and managed to drag the Sligo star down, Sligo looked to recycle quickly but a desperate knock-on ended the attack. It was high quality rugby on show now, and Corinthians responded immediately with a sniping break by their elusive scrum-half Greg Flaherty who broke down the left and kicked ahead, luckily Sligo covered well and Gerrity cleared the danger. It was Gerrity who again provided the next moment of excitement when another superb line took him clear of the Corinithians defence before he was dragged down deep inside the Galway side’s territory. Sligo recycled smoothly and switched the play wide with the Galway line at their mercy, however the final pass went to ground and the chance was gone.

Sligo were enraged soon after when during a ruck, a blatant kick to the head of a Sligo forward by Corinthians winger Kieran Dolan went unnoticed by the referee and escaped what would have been a certain red card. To add insult to injury it was Dunne who then opened the scoring minutes later with a well worked try. A slack Sligo defensive clearance was picked up by Ferguson who switched across the pitch before linking up with his flanker Barry McCann who released Dunne who finished well, cutting inside to score. Out-half Barry Sullivan missed the awkward conversion and Corinthians led 5-0. On the half hour mark, Sullivan extended the home side’s lead to eight with a well struck penalty from 30m out. With only minutes remaining in the half, Sligo launched one last attack and won a penalty 30m out, Gerrity kicked to the corner and fro the lineout Sligo mauled towards the Corinthians line. Corinithans infringed and Sligo were awarded a scrum 5m out, Sligo moved it quickly off the base of the scrum with scrum-half Wilders linking up with Culhane, who offloaded to tricky winger Brian Hynes. The Calry man reached for the line, and somehow managed to touch down to throw Sligo a lifeline and leave the half-time score 8-5.

Sligo looked to build on that late score early in the second half, but were put in their place by a spirited Corinthians side, who again began the half the brighter. Their early pressure was rewarded after 45 minutes when Sullivan’s boot extended their lead to 11-5. The game was now finely poised and the next score looked crucial. Sligo had the next chance when winger Ted Mulvaney released the marauding Tongan Mata Fifita who chased down his own kick and won a penalty 30m out. Gerrity’s effort however drifted wide. An injury to scrum-half Warner Wilders was another blow to Sligo, and he was replaced by Julian Rippon, who was returning to first team action after a long injury. Corinthians then produced the games vital score midway through the half when centre James Buckley burst through off a pass from Sullivan and crashed through the hapless Sligo cover to score under the posts. Sullivan added the easy extras and the home side were suddenly leading by 18-5 and the game looked beyond Sligo.

Sligo looked to respond but the players despite a heroic effort were unable to play their way back into the game. The Corinthians back-row were dominant in the loose, and despite the best efforts of the gallant Sligo forwards, the Galway side always looked comfortable in the closing stages. Corinthians added another penalty to extend the lead to 21-5 with ten minutes remaining and the game petered out as a contest with the Galway side content to stifle Sligo and play out time before the ref signalled the end of the contest, and with his whistle went Sligo’s title hopes. David Gerrity was the undoubted Sligo star on show, with his incisive running lines looking threatening at every opportunity as well as proving ultra-reliable with his tactical kicking. The forwards were brave throughout, always willing to put their bodies on the line and although they may have shown the effects of a tough season in the closing stages, this is an effective forward unit on which Sligo can build for the coming seasons.

Sligo will be disappointed with their performance on the day, as they have shown themselves to be a much more accomplished outfit than they showed on Sunday. However this side has been superb all year, and has produced a wonderful season despite stuggling with injuries in key areas, and the loss of two of their star backs midway through the season. Immense credit must be given to the Sligo coaching staff who have done a superb job with the resources available to them, especially head coach Joe Walsh whose tactical nous has seen the team put together their best league campaign in recent memory. He will now attempt to lift his side for the upcoming cup encounters, especially the crucial Heineken Junior Cup quarter-final against Ballina on March 1st.

[Match Photos]

Sligo advanced to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Connacht Junior Cup with a comfortable 0-22 away victory over Ballyhaunis on Sunday. Ballyhaunis who are a league below Sligo in JL1B never threatened a Sligo side, who sit atop JL1, and while the home side played with plenty of spirit the gulf in class was always going to be too much to overcome.

With the game played on a dry but freezing afternoon, the cold made it a tough afternoon for players as well as supporters. Sligo played into the fierce wind in the first half but they started the better with their pack getting to grips with their Mayo counterparts upfront. Sligo star David Gerrity opened the scoring after 14 minutes when he finished off an excellent move involving Tongan powerhouse, Mataelae Fifita, veteran outhalf Gavin Foley, and centre Andrew Feeney. Gerrity soon added a second, when number eight Peter Mullan broke from the back of the scrum before releasing Kiwi centre Andre Taurerewa who picked out Gerrity’s incisive line, and the fullback cruised under the posts for a try. Ballyhaunis settled after Sligo’s initial onslaught and using the wind began to play their way into the game without really threatening.

Sligo were dealt a blow just before the break when scrum-half, Billy Leahy had to retire with a facial injury, and was replaced by Warner Wilder. Assistant coach, Roger Burrows, who was at the helm in the absence of the coach, Joe Walsh, made three substitutions for the second half, bringing in Julian Ripon, Martin Feeney and David Greene for Brian Hynes, Daragh Cox and James Wilson respectively. When club captain, Ross Mannion, received a yellow card in the 10th minute, hooker Gary Conneelly, joined the action, with Cathal Culhane being forced to take a temporary break. It wasn’t until halfway through the 2nd half that Sligo added another score with the impressive Jamie Bowes charging over for another score. Sligo were in complete command, despite playing well within themselves, and added a final try with minutes remaining when the excellent Andre Taurerewa touching down to make it 20-0 before Gavin Foley added the extras to leave the final score 22-0.

Fullback Gerrity was excellent throughout, while Peter Mullan and Adrian McHale produced some sterling work upfront. Fifita was the game’s dominant influence and his trademark big hitting and ball carrying were evident throughout. The Sligo coaching staff will be happy with the ease in which Sligo negotiated the tie, and most importantly all players appear to have come through the game unscathed. Sligo had one eye on next weekends crucial title decider and as a result were never at full intensity against their lower-league opposition. Sligo will face Ballina in the quarter finals and this away tie against their arch-rivals promises to be a mouth-watering clash of high intensity rugby. The tie is scheduled for March 1st.

[ Match Photos ]

Sligo 17 – Corrib 0

A clinical, gutsy display in difficult conditions saw Sligo overcome a strong Corrib challenge by 17-0 to make it seven from seven and cement their place at the top of the Connacht JL1 League in a wet, wind-swept Hamilton Park on Sunday. Last week’s dour struggle at home to Tuam had led some pundits to declare that this was the week when Sligo’s luck would run out and their unbeaten run ended, but a heroic effort from Sligo’s forwards ensured that it was to be victory number seven for the Yeatsmen. Sligo coach Joe Walsh reacted angrily to his side’s inept performance against Tuam with a number of changes. Upfront the consistent Cathal Culhane returned at flanker, with the athletic Kim Williams making his first start of the season. It was the backline where Walsh really wielded his axe with club stalwart Gavin Foley switching to out-half, joined by a new centre partnership of Andrew Feeney and the powerful Mataele Fifita, and a first team call-up for tricky winger Brian Hynes after his four-try salvo for the seconds last weekend. Corrib’s league position belies their performances this season so far as they have suffered a five point deduction for off the field offences, and the gritty Galwaymen were expected to pose a major question to a Sligo side that has been suggested to have ridden their luck on occasion this year.

The visitors started brightly, despite the wintery conditions and had two early opportunities to get points on the board. Fullback Charlie Sullivan dragged an early penalty wide before some good work by the Corrib backline gave Sullivan a chance to make amends with another penalty right in front of the posts. However Sullivan again pulled his kick to the left and wide, and Sligo escaped unscathed. Following these early scares Sligo’s pack began to get down to business, and implement their game-plan of keeping it tight in the wet, slippy conditions. Sligo’s first attack of note saw a break from the towering Joe Sweeney whose offload saw the ball switched wide to the straightening Feeney who linked up with Hynes, before the speedy winger was bundled into touch by the covering Corrib defence ten metres short. The opening quarter of the game was a scrappy affair with the whistle-happy referee penalising both sides for numerous infringements at the breakdown, leading to a lot of breaks in play and ensuring that Sligo were unable to build up any phases of sustained pressure. The constant stream of penalties led to a warning to the home side that anymore infractions would not be tolerated, culminating in the harsh sin-binning of fullback David Gerrity for going off his feet at the breakdown.

Corrib sought to take control with this numerical advantage but it was the Sligo pack who responded the strongest with a period of sustained pressure in the visitor’s territory. Sligo’s forwards carried strongly, with many of the hard yards being made by the tireless work by the front row. A lineout twenty metres out was gathered by Sligo and the pack thundered towards the Corrib line. Here they were met with some excellent defence from the visitors as drive after drive was repelled, with Martin Feeney and Joe Sweeney going closest to breaking the whitewash before a handling error led to a turnover much to the dismay of the Sligo faithful. Sligo continued to keep it tight and another series of disciplined phases saw Corrib penalised again for illegally slowing the ball down, and their strong back rower Brian McDonagh sent to join Gerrity in the sin-bin. From this penalty, Foley expertly kicked Sligo to just 5m short, and from the lineout Sligo again mauled to inches from the Corrib line. Marshalled by commanding scrum half, Billy Leahy, Sligo’s forwards attacked the line mercilessly with Culhane, Mannion and Mullan all held up just short. As half-time approached Corrib were still pinned inside their own 5m line, and despite their best efforts the break-through was finally made when the sheer strength of burly prop Adrian McHale pierced the brave visitors defence and touched down for the games opening score. Gerrity, fresh his visit to the sin-bin, expertly added the extras with a superb conversion from wide on the right before the referee blew for halftime.

Sligo’s largest crowd of the season so far were subjected to a battering from a vicious hail-storm during the half-time interval and even the players had to run to the stand to seek shelter from the storm that engulfed the pitch. With the rain sweeping across the pitch, making conditions treacherous it was Sligo who began the second half the stronger with their forwards continuing their dominance as the game’s most effective unit. Following some good work by the pack, Andrew Feeney made an incisive break cutting through the Corrib cover down the right wing. Here he offloaded to the supporting Sweeney, who burst into the Corrib 22, before a strong Corrib tackle saw the move abruptly ended as the referee penalised Sligo for an infraction at the breakdown. The Galwaymen, who had been subdued in attack by the suffocating pressure of the Sligo pack up to this point, finally broke loose and a quick penalty by their creative centre Tom Lee saw them move into Sligo territory with some effective phases creating an opportunity out wide. Lee was again involved, before a shuddering hit by Sligo’s Tongan centre, Mataele Fifita forced a turnover.

On the hour mark, Sligo again pressed, and were awarded a penalty 40m out. Gerrity’s effort was well struck but drifted narrowly right and wide. The drop-out presented possession back to Sligo, and phase after phase of tenacious, disciplined work from the industrious pack saw them again move deep into Corrib territory. A penalty was kicked to touch only 10m out, and from the lineout James Wilson and his team-mates grinded their way towards the line. With Corrib stretched from the battering their line was taking with each pick and drive from the aggressive Sligo forwards, Leahy chose the right time to shift the point of attack to the backs where Fifita crashed through the cover before being halted just 5m short. A quick recycle saw Leahy expertly pick out the charge of the forceful Joe Sweeney, who crashed over for a well-deserved score. Gerrity made no mistake with the conversion, and Sligo’s lead was extended to 14-0.

Inspired by the score and in search of a bonus point, Sligo continued to dominate proceedings with their front five commanding their opposite numbers, supported by their athletic back-row marauding around the fringes. With ten minutes remaining another break by the effective Fifita, enjoying the extra space allowed to him at centre, moved Sligo forward before he offloaded to the evasive Gavin Foley whose jinking run led to a scrum 30m out for the home side, presenting them with a dangerous attacking platform. Leahy sniped down the blindside, and his expert grubber-kick through was only inches away from connecting with winger Nick Reynolds before the Corrib defence cleared into touch. Sligo had moved into clinical, game-closing mode at this stage and always looked comfortable in the closing stages. Corrib were further demoralised by the sin-binning of replacement forward, Dave Audley, and this led to a penalty opportunity for the home side with Gerrity making no mistake from 30m to make it 17-0 and putting the seal on an impressive, controlled performance. With only seconds remaining there was no sign of a Sligo let-up and they continued to pressurise with the omnipresent Sweeney prominent before a knock on right on the Corrib line saw the move fizzle out and the referee blow for full time.

While Sligo’s backline were competent in attack and unforgiving in defence, this was a victory that can be credited to a supreme display by the Sligo pack. Their ball-carrying and handling were excellent while their scrummaging always provided them with a solid platform from which to build. To a man they were superb, with the front five putting in a season best performance, as their discipline and hard-work laid the foundations for a comfortable victory. Props, Martin Feeney and Adrian McHale were immense, with Kim Williams prominent on his seasonal debut along with Wilson and captain Ross Mannion who were again dominant in the lineout. Sligo’s reshuffled back-row outplayed their opposite numbers with the seasoned Peter Mullan again outstanding, ably supported by the excellent Culhane. For the second game in a row it was Joe Sweeney who turned in a man of the match performance with his combative, aggressive line-breaking and his uncompromising defence, capped by his match-winning score. The forwards were expertly marshalled by scrum-half Leahy, while Gavin Foley was commanding at out-half playing the percentage game that the conditions demanded. Fifita revelled in the open spaces of his new role at centre making his trademark big hits, as well as continuously breaking the gain-line. David Gerrity was a calming influence at fullback ensuring that he always had Corrib’s kicking game covered, with his place kicking faultless.

Sligo head coach Joe Walsh was pleased with his side’s clinical performance, praising the forwards for their supreme effort. He would have been especially pleased by Sligo’s miserly defence as the teams hard-hitting and endless hard-work kept a tough Corrib side scoreless, and more importantly starved of possession throughout. Credit to must go to Walsh whose changes from the abject performance a week ago against Tuam making a huge difference as Sligo turned in a much more complete performance in awful conditions. Sligo now have a week off to enjoy next week’s visit to Ireland of the All Blacks, and to prepare for their awkward trip to a Westport in two weeks. This preparation will be vital as Sligo continue to aim for league success and with both their title-challengers Monivea and Corinthians still to be faced in future games, these cold weeks of hard training may prove the difference later in the year. For now Sligo continue to answer every question asked of them, and it won’t bother them if they continue to be proclaimed lucky by certain quarters as with each win confidence is building and this winning mentality will be priceless in the closer encounters.

Sligo: A McHale, R Mannion, M Feeney, J Wilson, K Williams, J Sweeney, C Culhane, P Mullan, B Leahy, G Foley, N Reynolds, A Feeney, M Fifita, B Hynes, D Gerrity.

Replacements: R O’Boyle, D Greene, K Machitidze.

Corrib: C Sullivan, M Monaghan, T Lee, S Conlisk, R Casey, B Lee, E Henry, B McDonagh, D Hughes, D O’Connor, J Newell, B Audley, K Reilly, M Lee, A Bane.

Replacements: D Audley, D O’Connor, J Gavin.

[Match Photos]

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 2^nd, 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.

Machitidze just missed with the conversion, and Sligo led 5-0. Fifita has been a huge influence since his arrival at Sligo, and from the restart he followed up his score with one his trademark huge hits on an unfortunate Tuam attacker to loud cheers from the Sligo supporters as Sligo looked in control.

Many visiting teams could have come undone at this point, but Tuam to their credit, knuckled down and began to get a foothold in the game with their lively backs causing Sligo problems, out-half Eoin Cosgrave’s lateral lines allowing their skilful centre Killeen McDonagh space. It was from one of these McDonagh breaks that Tuam opened their account. Recycling quickly from his run, back-rower Johnny Tierney charged through a massive hole in Sligo’s breakdown defence being stopped only ten metres out. Again Tuam were allowed quick, clean ball and switching wide, two good offloads saw the Galway side’s winger David Burke scoring in the corner. Cosgrave added the extras with a superb kick, as Tuam took a 5-7 lead into the game’s second quarter. Rocked by this score Sligo tried to respond immediately and winning the restart, a great break by sniping scrum-half Billy Leahy, saw Sligo move deep into Tuam territory. Kicking a penalty to touch, Sligo had a lineout 5m out, but a handling error allowed Tuam to clear.

The away side’s backline continued to be the game’s most effective unit, and they tried to release them at every opportunity. On the half hour mark, they again went wide, and only a desperate tackle by Sligo winger David Gerrity stopped them adding to their lead. It was all the Galway men now, and a huge period of pressure saw them bombard the Sligo line with Foley and Gerrity again both making try-saving tackles in successive phases. Sligo were at sea, and only another big tackle by the excellent Joe Sweeney stopping the away side. Tuam tried everything to breach the line, with their backs and forwards alternating attacks on the Sligo line. Sligo’s defence this season has been excellent however, and this was no different as they desperately tried to hold on until half-time. With only seconds remaining Sligo finally infringed and Tuam were awarded with a penalty 22m out. However Cosgrave dragged his kick wide, and Sligo survived, being fortunate to only trail by two at half-time.

Tuam were forced into a change with one of their forwards having to be stretchered off with a unfortunate neck injury, however this did not stop Tuam’s momentum and they were straight back on the attack forcing two 5m scrums in quick succession on the Sligo line. Luckily the scrum was the one facet of the game where Sligo were dominating and two strong defensive scrums allowed them to clear but only briefly. Another attack from Tuam saw them advance down the left touchline, where they were only stopped by a dangerous tackle from Machitidze. The referee had no option but to send him to the sinbin, and Sligo had to face a lineout only 5m out with only 14 men. Sligo’s pack were in determined mood however, and again their defence stood firm, refusing to allow Tuam to breach their line. With fifteen minutes of the half gone, Sligo coach Joe Walsh introduced Andrew Feeney for Ted Mulvaney, which led to a reshuffle in the Sligo backline with Feeney moving to centre, Foley to out-half and Machitidze returning from the sinbin to fullback. This move seemed to give Sligo some impetus, as the seasoned Foley took control of the game with some excellent tactical kicking, and good decision making that had been lacking previous.

Sligo finally began to put together some attacking pressure, and good breaks by Fifita and Leahy forced Tuam into defence. On the hour mark a solid Sligo scrum allowed Leahy to break blindside where he offloaded to veteran back-rower Peter Mullan, who was only stopped deep in Tuam territory. Sligo finally began to put some phases of concerted pressure together, with their forwards picking and driving to get them within metres of the line with Fifita, Bowes, and the hugely impressive Joe Sweeney, who was having one of best games in a Sligo shirt, most prominent. One final drive saw Sligo crash over the Tuam line, and it was Fifita who emerged with the ball, claiming his fourth try of the season. Machitidze was unlucky with the conversion, failing to add to Sligo’s 10-7 lead.

The game was delicately poised and both teams had changes over the next few minutes, Sligo defended heroically again, Machitidze covering a dangerous Tuam kick through, while in attack a good up and under by Gerrity forced a lineout deep in Tuam territory but Sligo were unable to capitalise. With eight minutes remaining, Tuam’s backs attacked from well inside their own half, spreading it wide to release their speedy winger. David Burke, who looked to have a chance to score before another amazing try-saving tackle by Sligo’s man of the hour, Joe Sweeney. With Sweeney prominent everywhere, and Foley’s tactical kicking relieving pressure, as the clock ticked down it looked like Sligo had done enough to hold on. However with only seconds remaining, Tuam had one last attack and when their backs went wide, they sprinted down the touchline and a long pass sent one of their players clear to what looked a clear run to the line. Dramatically the pass had drifted forward, and to Sligo’s relief it was spotted by the excellent referee who called the move back. That was to be the game’s last action, and the referee blew his whistle to end proceedings, and maintain Sligo’s 100% record with a final scoreline of 10-7.

It was the great American Football supremo, Vince Lombardi, who coined the phrase that “winning is a habit� and this was never truer than this weekend. Sligo were lacklustre, sloppy, and error-strewn while Tuam were superb, playing some excellent free-flowing rugby. However it was Sligo who have that winning mentality at the moment, with a number of team members having never tasted defeat in a Sligo shirt and it was this mental toughness that allowed them to secure victory. Sligo have huge performances from their back-row to thank for victory, not just with Fifita’s two tries but with Joe Sweeney the game’s outstanding player. Joe had been a long servant of the club, and this was as good a game as he has ever had inspiring his teammates to show that will to win that in the end carried them to another win. Sligo will need to improve, and with another home game next week against a Corrib side near the bottom of the table, Sligo will have a chance to get things right before they enter a tough stretch of games where their title hopes will be severely tested. If they perform like they did on Sunday, those hopes may be dashed.

Sligo: D Gerrity, T Mulvaney, A Taurerewa, G Foley, N Reynolds, K Machitidze, B Leahy, P Mullan, M Fifita, J Sweeney, J Bowes, J Wilson, M Feeney, R Mannion, A McHale.

Subs: A Feeney, R O’Boyle, R Lucey.

Tuam: J Murphy, D Burke, J Maughan, K McDonagh, S Burke, E Cosgrave, R Kavanagh, J Tierney, D Noone, B Ruane, D Slattery, A Lowe, S Kavanagh, M Ward, N Higgins, G Conolly, M O’Connor, C Durant.

[Match Photos]

JL1 table-toppers Sligo stumbled to a desperately unconvincing victory at The Green in Creggs on Sunday, escaping with a narrow six point victory against a Creggs side, which remains rooted to the bottom of the table. Sligo came into the game hoping to maintain their unbeaten record and continue the trend of expansive, attacking rugby that they had showed in last week’s glorious home victory over Loughrea. Sligo made a number of changes from that game, with Sligo head coach Joe Walsh again rotating his squad and resting a number of key players. Adrian McHale and Ross Mannion were recalled to the front row with Joe Sweeney also taking his place in the Sligo pack. Sligo also reshuffled their back three, with the exciting Nick Reynolds moving to full-back where he was joined by Andrew Feeney and Ted Mulvaney on the wings. On paper the game appeared nothing more than a formality for a high-flying Sligo side, but just as Munster showed in their desperate last-gasp victory over Montauban on Friday, rugby isn’t played on paper.

On a pleasant, warm afternoon Sligo edged the early encounters as their backs got their hands on the ball early with a break from seasoned centre, Gavin Foley. Dragged down just short, Sligo quickly recycled and Tongan powerhouse, Mataele Fifita drove towards the line seeking his third try of the season. Creggs, eager to atone for their poor start to the season in front of their home fans, defended stoutly and forced Sligo back. Sligo’s creative out-half, Paddy Pearson, tried to engage his backline but numerous handling errors meant Sligo were unable to gain any momentum. On the quarter hour mark Pearson made a fine break, before releasing Feeney, whose grubber kick through was cleared by the Creggs defence. Sligo continued to have the upper hand in the possession stakes, but were unable to convert this into any chances of note. Pressing just outside the Creggs 22m line, another handling error saw Sligo again turnover possession and this time Creggs took full advantage when their lightening fast winger, Bernard Kilcommins sprinted down the right wing outpacing the Sligo defence, looking certain to open the scoring before Sligo winger Ted Mulvaney, covering from his opposite wing, raced across the pitch to make a superb try-saving tackle 5m out. Creggs were not to be denied though, and a quick recycle saw them switch the play allowing their winger John Hughes to go over for a great try. Creggs added the extras to take a shock 7-0 lead.

Straight from the restart, a Creggs infringement saw Sligo awarded a penalty 40m out. Unfortunately an injury to a Creggs player saw the game delayed by ten minutes, as the luckless home player was stretchered from the field. Sligo used the break to re-focus and on the re-start kicked the penalty to the corner. From the line-out, Pearson delivered a beautiful cross-kick to Feeney, who soared high to gather before offloading to the supporting Mulvaney, who was stopped just short by the gritty home defence. Sligo recycled quick, with the alert Pearson adding width, and Sligo’s resilient centre, Andre Taurerewa went over to record his first ever try in a Sligo jersey.

Pearson expertly added the conversion as Sligo levelled scores 7-7. Sligo’s large travelling support expected this score to ignite their team, but it had no such effect as the disappointing away team continued to struggle to create anything. Both sides engaged in a tactical kicking battle which suited the home side, who were able to slow the tempo of the game down not allowing Sligo any quick ball or any kind of impetus.  The game became extremely scrappy, both sides struggling to make any kind of impact, as handling errors and ill-discipline led to numerous stops in play until the referee’s whistle signalled the end of a horrendous half of rugby.

The second half started promisingly for Sligo, who had been on the receiving end of a furious half-time team talk, when early possession was rewarded with a penalty for Creggs coming over the top of a Sligo ruck 35m out. Pearson punished the homeside, drilling the penalty over as Sligo took a 10-7 lead. The early stages of the second half continued in the same lacklustre vein as the first with a combination of Sligo errors and admirable spoiling by the homeside resulting in a lack of any kind of flow to an error-strewn game. Sligo introduced Jamie Bowes for Trevor Sweeney, and another penalty conceded by the home side allowed Pearson to extend Sligo’s lead to 13-7. Sligo made another change as their management tried to get Sligo back into any kind of rhythm, with Ross O’Boyle replacing Darragh Cox.

Chances were few and far between for both sides, but Sligo flanker Joe Sweeney tried to inspire his team with a great run but again the courageous home defence forced him into touch. From the resulting line-out Sligo stole possession, and finally moved it wide successfully with the eager Ted Mulvaney again brought down inches from the line. Sligo sought a quick recycle forcing Creggs into conceding another penalty, which was kicked to the corner as Sligo sought the try that would have killed the game. Sligo tried to drive over, but inspired by the roars of the home side, Creggs’ line held heroically despite numerous Sligo drives in a tense 5 minute spell. Subsitute O’Boyle came closest, but the burrowing prop was denied on the line. Yet another handling error turned possession over and a relieved Creggs kicked clear but failed to find touch. Sligo ran it straight back, with some good link up play by the back three creating a chance which was again repelled. Finally Sligo were rewarded for this period of pressure with a penalty, but Pearson dragged his kick wide, and ensured a nervous one-score end game. Creggs attacked but without actually threatening and despite showing an immense work-rate were unable to create the score that would have punished Sligo’s slack performance.  The full-time whistle was not greeted with any cheers by either side, as Sligo had failed to perform at all and the home side were left ruing a missed opportunity to take a major scalp.

Sligo head coach Joe Walsh was furious with his side after the game, proclaiming the performance terrible and unacceptable. His side looked sluggish and laboured throughout, showing none of the intensity that had been present in their opening three league games. Walsh struggled to pull any positives from the game with only the absence of any injuries and the resting of some key players as the only things he could take from this game.  Although the fact remains that despite the awful performance Sligo had managed to avoid a defeat against a side that has ended Sligo hopes on a couple of occasions in recent years and would have been blown their impressive start to the season apart. Walsh warned that any repeat of that kind of performance would be destroyed by next week’s stronger opponents Castlebar, and called on his players to put this game behind them and move on.

Sligo lacked any kind of intensity, with passion and fervour completely obsolete. They played a lack-lustre game, kicking away possession and playing right into the hands of a home side that grew in confidence with each Sligo error. Man for man Sligo failed to produce with Sligo’s forwards sluggish and idle,  failing to dominate the set-pieces like they have done with even their superb lineout misfiring. Mistakes were prominent all over the park, with the backline that sparkled in the Strandhill sunshine last week now looking lead-footed and listless. Handling errors and ill-discipline led to a slew of penalties conceded, slowing the game down and not allowing Sligo to play their high-tempo, fast game. Fortunately Sligo were facing a side that did not have the ability to capitalise on this abject, dis-jointed performance, any repeat of this performance against more skilled opponents will see Sligo put to the sword. Like Munster on Friday, this game will hopefully serve as a warning shot to the players, quickly bringing the side down to earth and showing them that while it’s tough to get to the top, it’s a hell of a lot tougher staying there.

[Match Photos]

Teams –

Sligo: A McHale, R Mannion, D Cox, J Wilson, T Sweeney, C Culhane, J Sweeney, M Fifita, B Leahy, P Pearson, T Mulvaney, G Foley, A Taurerewa, A Feeney, N Reynolds.
Subs: R O’Boyle, J Bowes, B Hynes.

Creggs: J McPhilbin, J Hughes, C Brandon, M Fleming, B Kilcommins, N Flynn, R Kelly, C Coyne, T Fleming, M Hester, J Comiskey, K Keane, A Glennon, N Glennon, P Heafsly.
Subs: P Coffey, K O’Rourke, S Higgins.

Ref: D Eames (Carrick)

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)

[Match Photos]

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 2^nd 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.

[Match Pics]