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. First centre Mark Leydon is excelling in his first full season of rugby and he came closest to opening the scoring early on but his incisive break was stopped inches from the Buccaneers line. Towering back-rower James O’Hehir also went close early when a pinpoint cross field kick saw him loitering with intent out wide but his drive at the line was again stopped short by some superb home defence. Sligo finally got the score their pressure deserved when Jason McGoldrick delivered a superbly weighted skip pass to Conor Keirns before running around to receive the offload from Keirns and touch down under the posts for an excellent score. Keirns unluckily missed the conversion as Sligo led 0-5 which they held until half-time.
In the second half ill-discipline cost Sligo as they gave away to many soft penalties which allowed the home side back in the game. Buccaneers attacked steadily but Sligo’s defence held firm until midway through the half when a good move by the Buccaneers pack saw them force their way over the Sligo line, before their out-half added an excellent conversion to put the home side ahead by 7-5. A tense finale ensued as Sligo threw everything at Buccaneers desperately seeking the game winning score. However some excellent defensive work allowed Buccaneers to hold on and emerge victorious and advance to the league final. Upfront Sligo were excellent with the front five of Fabian Zawada, Killian Filan, Matt Davey, Niall O Rourke and Jamie Mc Govern all prominent in the tight. Their dynamic back three of Leigh Dunne, Andrew Nairn, and James O Hehir had a good game with all three making some incisive breaks and good carries. The backline was outstanding, especially in the first half, with the experienced half-back partnership of Conor Keirns and Cian Mulligan orchestrating affairs. Sligo’s dangerous back three of Patrick Mc Gloin, Darragh Burke, and Sean Finnegan were threatening throughout and went close on a couple of occasion to scoring what would have been the match winning try. Sligo’s panel also included David McGrath, Stephen Martyn, Shane Gilligan, Tadhg Cadden, Eoin Kilroy – Talbot, Gabriel Knecht and Jack Selby. Sligo can be proud of their performance and can count themselves a touch unfortunate not to be advancing to the final, however there is still plenty to play for this season and with a bit of luck and hard work Sligo can definitely challenge for some silverware in the cup competitions.