It is the Inter-Pro season and Sligo RFC is well-represented throughout the age-grades. Congratulations to all the players on their call up to Connacht, your hard work and determination is paying off. We wish them all the best of luck in the inter-provincial series. The Connacht U16s have yet to start their series of games but there are four Sligo RFC players on the team in the form of Alastair Hill, Jack Dennison, Sergey O’ Donoghue and David Keyes
Sligo RFC has boasted very successful women’s teams in the past, competing at the highest level in the country. The current Ireland women’s rugby team has two former Sligo RFC players. The Girls’ section of the club has gone from strength to strength and it is essential that we re-establish the senior team to cater for the growth of women’s rugby in the country. Sligo RFC and Connacht Rugby have supports in place for anyone willing to take on the role. Contact 087 2389515 if you are interested in taking on this role.
It’s the end of an era for the Scrum-ptious disco as organiser Justin Harte steps down after an incredible 14 years at the helm. Justin has organised the teen rugby disco and has been responsible for raising much needed funds for nearly 15 years. Sligo RFC would like to thank Justin & his family, as well as all the ticket sellers in school, for their invaluable work over the years. Scrum-ptious will continue as usual but it will take a whole committee to fill Justin’s shoes.
The next teen disco will take place on Friday 13th September. We have kept ticket prices at €12 per person and are trialling a new method of distribution. Tickets will only be available through Cosgrove’s Centra, Maugheraboy at specific times. The first tickets go on sale at 8p.m. on Thursday 29th August. Each person will be allowed purchase a maximum of 2 tickets. Tickets cannot be reserved, please do not contact Centra.
Sligo RFC Training Times 2019/20
Sligo RFC continues to go from strength to strength and will boast a total of 23 teams this year. The ever-growing Juvenile section has 8 teams for boys and girls aged 6-12. The Youth section has another 9 teams, with teams for boys U13 – U18.5 and for girls U14 – U18. See details below for training times and follow Sligo RFC on Facebook for match updates and news.
All Players welcome. If you are interested in joining, please come along to training or contact the person listed below for your age group or category.
All training will take place in Sligo R.F.C, Hamilton Park, Strandhill.
JUVENILES – Under 7 to Under 12 (boys & girls)
Training resumes on Saturday 7th September
• Saturdays, 10 – 11:30am.
Contact: Ken O’Neill 086 6181946.
– U7s (Born 2013) – U8s (Born 2012) – U9s (Born 2011) – U10s (Born 2010) – U11s (Born 2009) – U12s (Born 2008)
YOUTHS – Girls (Under 14 – Under 18)
Starts on Monday 26th August at 7 p.m. with a taster session for new players
• U14s (born 2006)
Mondays at 7 – 8.15 p.m.
Contact: Gavin Clinch – 086 857 7630
• U16s (born 2004)
Mondays & Wednesdays at 7 – 8.15 p.m.
Contact: Kieran Treanor – 086 206 5551
• U18.5s (born between 1st July 2001 and 31st December 2002. A player born 30th June 2001, is now considered a Senior player)
Mondays & Wednesdays at 7 – 8.15 p.m.
Contact: Gabriel Gormley – 087 763 6168
YOUTHS – Boys (Under 13 to Under 18.5)
• U13s (born 2007)
Wednesdays at 6.30pm. & every other Sunday at 10.45a.m.
Contact: Gavin Laws – 086 602 9711
• U14s (born 2006)
Wednesdays at 7pm.
Contact: Emer Bree – 087 629 6919
• U15s (born 2005)
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. & Fridays at 6 p.m.
Contact: Brian Roche 086 275 2803
• U16s (born 2004)
TBD
Contact: Seamus Dennison 087 936 8770
• U17s (born 2003)
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Contact: Hagan McQuaid – 086 722 5912
• U18.5s (born between 1st July 2001 and 31st December 2002. A player born 30th June 2001, is now considered a Senior player)
Thursdays at 7 p.m. Contact: Hugh O’ Hehir – 087 237 0646
Senior – Ladies (trying to re-establish a team)
• Mondays & Wednesdays at 7.30 – 8.30 p.m.
Contact: Jean McConnell – 087 238 9515
Senior – Men
• All adult teams
Tuesdays & Fridays at 7p.m.
Contact: Head Coach Paddy Pearson – 087 215 2150
The President, Club Officers and Members wish to offer sincere condolences to the family of the recently deceased Marguerite Collins.
Marguerite was predeceased by husband Mick who played with distinction with the club and served two terms as the Club President from 1980 to 1982.
May she rest in Peace
Marguerite Collins (nee Fahy), Tonaphubble, Sligo, June 21st 2019. Peacefully after a short illness bourne with courage. Predeceased by her husband Michael and daughter Michelle. Loving and much loved mother of Hilary (McIvor), Nicola (Duggan) and Sarah, dear sister of Marian (McHugh) and adored Nan of Michael, Louis, Grace, Mark and Rachel. Sadly missed by her daughters, sister, grandchildren, sons-in-law Tony, Jim and Donie, in-laws, extended family, friends and neighbours.
Rest in peace.
Reposing at Sean Feehily’s Funeral Home, Cartron Cross, Sligo (Eircode; F91ND78) on Sunday June 23rd, from 4:30pm with removal at 6:30pm to St. Colmcille’s Church, Rathcormac, Co. Sligo arriving at 7pm. Mass of the Resurrection on Monday, June 24th, at 11am. Burial follows in Sligo Cemetery.
Sligo RFC is in mourning following the news of the untimely passing of Blondie (Alan Eakins), a most treasured club member, who will be missed by all at our club.
A complete gentleman, Alan was a true Sligo RFC clubman who spared nothing to give his all for the good of his beloved club. A player, committee member, Alickadoo, and traveling supporter, Alan’s life was ingrained in Sligo RFC for over 50 years and his work has been instrumental in the progress of our club.
As was his way, Alan performed his various roles in the running of the club including Bar Chairman and Grounds Chairman without fuss, without ever asking for praise or recognition and all the time working for the good of the club.
He will be fondly remembered by the players from the highly successful Sligo RFC Women’s team who played in the 90s, having supported the team home and away.
At that time Alan also put Trojan work into developing a highly successful pre season 7 a side tournament which ran for a number of years generating much needed revenue and profile for the club.
In recent years Blondie has been a core member of the Sligo RFC ‘Magic Bus’ supporters group, and in typical fashion, acted as the sweeper from each venue, ensuring all his traveling comrades were safely on board before allowing the bus head for home. The Friday morning, weekend planning, coffee sessions won’t be the same.
Our club has lost a good one too soon, but we will all remember you fondly Blondie! Your stool at the bar will always be free for you. RIP.
The season may be ended, but there’s still lots to do! The Club continues its fundraising efforts, with the focus now firmly on the refurbishment and development of the dressing rooms and player facilities. We are appealing to all members and friends of Sligo RFC to donate any saleable items, vouchers, hampers or services to the club. Please contact Peter Gillespie 087 859 5731 or any other club member with your commitments. The auction will take place at 2pm on Sunday 19th May in the clubhouse.
Connacht Rugby and Totalhealth Pharmacy are delighted to announce details of this year’s Connacht Rugby Summer Camps. In total 19 rugby clubs from Connacht will be hosting one week-long camps, starting on Monday 1st July in Sligo RFC. Registration is open now, and every child who attends will receive our brand-new Connacht Rugby ¼ Zip Top as well as a rugby ball and one junior ticket to a selected Connacht Rugby match next season at the Sportsground. Full details and booking info please click here.
Sligo RFC are delighted to announce a recently agreed and renewed sponsorship partnership with SIS, who have come on board as a valued Club sponsor 2019-2021.
The club would like to congratulate George Mullan and SIS on their continued growth throughout the world. George comes from a great Sligo Rugby Club family. He was in the battle of the Moy back in 1980, played at Senior level for Sligo, Dublin University & Queens University and was also capped for Connacht Under 20s.
Blackrock College RFC 28 – Sligo RFC 27
Sligo’s dream of promotion to All Ireland League division 2A ended in the most dramatic circumstances with a one point loss to Blackrock College despite an incredible team performance at Stradbrook on Saturday.
Sligo qualified for the division AIL 2B playoffs following an incredible run of form which saw the team move from last place in the league table in December to securing 4th place with a game in hand which opened up the opportunity to lock horns with Blackrock for a place in the playoff final.
Unfortunately for the Yeats men, Lady Luck deserted them when she was needed most and the home team benefited from some incredibly controversial refereeing decisions to finish ahead by the smallest of margins when the final whistle was sounded.
With the sun beating down on an unseasonably warm Easter Saturday Blackrock kicked off into the Sligo pack. The pre match instructions from coaches Paddy Pearson and Jason East were to start well and to a man Sligo stood up. With the forwards having secured the kickoff, scrum half Ryan Feehily moved the ball left to Mark Butler. Butler threw a huge pass wide and right winger Calum Goddard, who had moved to the left for the play, collected and used his blistering pace to make his way to the halfway. A sweetly timed pass from Goddard released his left wing Philip Carter who outpaced the cover and touched down with only 45 seconds on the clock and the perfect start for Sligo.
The home team responded with penalty’s on the 10th and 15th minutes before Sligo regained the lead with an excellently struck Jack Keegan penalty midway through the half.
Sligo were in full flow, Shane O’ Hehir, Rob Holian, and Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill we’re controlling the lineout. Sean Wynne was halting every ‘Rock attack with his unending tackle count, Tom Gormely and Kuba Wojtkowicz were rock solid at the scrum and were a menace in the loose. The work rate from Ciaran Cassidy and Matt Davey mirrored the intent of the Sligo effort. Enda Gavin was sound at full back.
Sligo’s work rate was rewarded with a classic Ryan Feehily try on 25 minutes, the live wire scrum half leaving three would be tacklers in his wake on the way to touching down in the corner. Keegans excellently struck conversion moved Sligo’s lead to 9 points.
Rock again hit back with a penalty 3 pointer before a pinpoint Butler crossfield kick was superbly collected by Goddard and the speedy winger raced in for Sligo’s third try. Keegan again added the extras to move the score to 9-22.
Blackrock came again and worked their way in for a pick and drive try to put the half time score to 14-22.
Following the resumption Sligo struck again, Carter again using his strength and pace to finish another excellent Sligo score. 27-14 to Sligo.
Despite playing all the constructive rugby Sligo fell foul of some incredibly controversial refereeing decisions.
Yellow cards reduced the Sligo defensive effort and Blackrock were allowed back into contention with a try on 76 minutes before scoring the match winning try and conversion 6 minutes into injury time against a 13 man Sligo.
Come the final whistle on an emotional day for Sligo, tributes were paid to stalwarts Conor Mitchell and Mata Fifita who are both retiring following the end of Sligo’s season. Former club Captain Mitchell has been Instrumental in the progress of Sligo RFC since his arrival to the club and Fifita has been vital to Sligo’s success.
The work of Pearson, East, and Manager John Keegan has placed Sligo in rude health and the management team will undoubtedly be targeting promotion when the 2019/20 season rolls around.
Sligo RFC are on the up!
Sligo: Enda Gavin, Calum Goddard, Jack Keegan, Mata Fifita, Philip Carter, Mark Butler, Ryan Feehily, Kuba Wojtkowicz, Shane O’Hehir (Co-Capt),Tom Gormely, Rob Holian, Ciaran Cassidy, Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill, Sean Wynne, Matt Davey. reps Conor Mitchell, James O’Hehir, Shane Boyle, Brendan Cunningham, Niall Gray, Euan Brown, Jason East.
