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.
Alan Eakins (Blondie)
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.
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.
Calum Goddard dots down for Sligo’s 3rd try, after collecting a superb crossfield kick from Mark Butler
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.
Ciaran Cassidy and Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill try to block the box kick
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.
Ryan Feehily scores Sligo’s second try
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.
Sligo’s Sean Wynne makes the tackle
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.
Sligo’s Ciaran Cassidy attempts to block a box kick
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.
Sligo’s supporters celebrate another try
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.
Congratulations to Ryan Feehily who was awarded the Senior Club Player of the Year title at the Connacht Awards night last Saturday in Galway. Sligo co-captain, Ryan is a dynamic scrum half, who plays apivotal role on the pitch. Well done Ryan.
Forwards’ Coach Jason East U18.5s Coach Adrian Mc Hale, Senior Head Coach Paddy Pearson and Club President Des Cosgrove at the Connacht Awards night.
The President, Chairman, committee, players and members of Sligo RFC extend their deepest sympathies to Tom Nielsen on the recent passing of his father Poul. Condolences also to Mary, senior player Christian and Erin, and to Poul’s wife Dorothea and Tom’s sister Anette.
Poul lived in Herning, Denmark and after a recent short illness sadly passed away on Thursday morning. He was a former officer in the army in Denmark.
Tom and Mary came to Ireland from the UK with their then young children Christian and Erin. From the outset, Tom immediately embraced the Club, taking up a role as team manager. Since then he has been a loyal servant of the Club acting on the General and Executive Committees for many years. He is a former recipient of the Club Person of the year award and continues to serve as Youth Coordinator and Membership Secretary. Christian started in the Club’s youth section and is currently plays on the Club’s senior and development sides.
Our thoughts are with Tom and family at this sad time. Poul’s funeral service will be held in Herning on Tuesday morning. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam Må han hvile i fred.
Sligo rounded off their All Ireland League division 2B campaign with a bonus point win in a see-saw affair at Strandhill on Saturday. Sligo scored 6 trys to Sundays Wells’ 5 in a match that went from end to end for the full 80 minutes.
With Sligo’s promotion playoff position already secured, Coaches Paddy Pearson and Jason East were able to give some of their squad a well earned rest and try out some new combinations prior to the all important playoff against Blackrock College RFC in Dublin next Saturday.
With a strong gale blowing down the pitch from the eastern corner of Knocknarea, Sligo kicked off into the teeth of the breeze. The visitors made the early pace and opened the scoring with a try in the corner after 5 minutes.
Sligo fought back and opened their own account when hooker James O’Hehir crashed over near the posts following a sustained period of pressure. Jack Keegan added the extras to put Sligo two points ahead.
Sligo’s lead was short lived, as the ‘Well picked up trys on 30th and 35th minutes to open up a 12 point lead before speedster Calum Goddard made an excellent break from his own half to within 10 meters of the visitors line. Goddard was hauled down but scrum half Brendan Cunningham was in support and collected and raced over on the right to close the gap to 7 going into the interval.
Following the resumption Goddard added a try of his own with a well worked play from a scrum before Sligo regained the lead with a super score manufactured from inside their own 22. O’Hehir found Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill at the lineout and the ball was move infield to the left. Euan Brown ,Enda Gavin and Matele Fifita handled before Keegan slipped through a gap and drove into the visitors half. Keegan traded passes with Goddard before touching down on the left for an excellent score. Brown converted to put Sligo ahead 24-19.
The action continued apace and the ‘Well picked up a fourth try with 15 minutes remaining. Philip Carter successfully charged down the conversion attempt and the teams were level at 24 points each.
The ‘Well again took the lead with a converted score following some loose play by the home team before Goddard picked up his second of the day out wide on the right. Browns’ sweetly struck conversion brought the teams level again.
With 5 minutes left on the clock a well struck penalty regained the lead for the visitors but the locals were not to be outdone and worked their way back down the pitch and camped themselves within touching distance of the visitors line before Fifita powered over to seal the match for Sligo.
Pearson and East will be happy with the win but more importantly was the opportunity to blood new squad members Brian West and Matthew Early who both played their part when brought into the fray. Another bonus for Sligo was the return from long term injury layoffs for Shane Boyle and Ross Hickey who both picked up valuable game time prior to next weeks all important promotion play off.
Saturday will also be remembered as the final home game for Sligo’s Conor Mitchell and Matele Fifita with both players intending to retire at the end of this season. Sligo will be doing their utmost to ensure that both players will finishing their careers having secured promotion to Division 2B. The playoff semi final kicks off at 2.30 next Saturday at Blackrocks’ home in Stradbrook.
Sligo: Jack Keegan, Calum Goddard, Matele Fifita, Enda Gavin, Philip Carter, Euan Brown, Brendan Cunningham, Tom Gormely, James O’Hehir, Kuba Wojtkowicz, Ciaran Cassidy, Jake Sexton, Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill, Sean Wynne, Matt Davey, Reps: Matthew Earley, Ross Hickey, Conor Mitchell, Shane Boyle, Brian West.
Sligo confirmed their place in All Ireland League Division 2B promotion play-off with a hard fought victory in a pulsating encounter over Dungannon RFC at Stevenson park on Saturday. Sligo’s win guarantees fourth place in division 2B, nine points ahead of fifth with one game to play and sets up a mouthwatering trip to Dublin to play Blackrock College RFC in the first round of the playoffs.
Sligo kicked off playing into the slight breeze on a surface suitable for running rugby. The opening exchanges were dominated by the hosts and Sligo found themselves behind from a penalty after 10 minutes and a converted try on the 25th minute.
Sligo dug in and began to impose their own play on the hosts. The scrum was solid with Tom Gormely, Kuba Wojtkowicz and Conor Mitchell putting in a strong shift. Ciaran Cassidy and Matt Davey were carrying strongly and Shane O’ Hehir was combining well with Rob Holian and Diarmuid O’Dowd-Hill at the lineout. The back three of Niall Gray,Phillip Carter and Calum Goddard we’re dealing well with any threat from the local backline. Sean Wynne was his usual industrious presence at the tackle line.
Sligo’s persistence paid off with 35 minutes on the clock. Good work from the forwards brought play close to the Dungannon line before the home team were forced into the concession of a penalty and a yellow card for their number 8. Sligo sensed blood and opted for a scrum. The home team survived the first wave of attack but Sligo dug in. Euan Brown and Mitchell both tested the defence before scrum half Ryan Feehily brilliantly sniped down the right of the ruck and touched down under the posts. Jack Keegan added the extras to shorten the gap to three.
Right on the interval Sligo struck again. Shane O’Hehir made a searing break from deep in Sligo territory before being hauled down in the Dungannon 22. A quick recycle gave speedster Calum Goddard the chance to race around the cover and dot down in the corner to move Sligo into a two point lead at the break.
Unfortunately O’Hehir had to retire shortly afterwards through injury but was ably replaced by his brother James, making his welcome return to AIL action following a long period of injury.
The lead changed hands again early in the second half as the home side benefited with an unconverted try following a lapse in concentration in the Sligo defence, but Sligo wrestled back the initiative with Feehily’s second of the day following up on a Wojtkowicz drive that was stopped short. Keegan converted to move the score to 15-19.
With 15 minutes remaining the home team again took back the lead with a try from a driving lineout maul, the successful conversion put three between the sides.
Sligo again responded with some fine tactical kicking from Mark Butler putting pressure on the home defence. The pressure paid off and Keegan slotted over an equalising penalty with ten minutes remaining remaining before taking the lead with three minutes to go with another excellently struck effort.
The drama didn’t end there though and with seconds left on the clock Dungannon were awarded a penalty outside the Sligo 22. The home outfit opted to go for the win and turned down the three point attempt to go to the corner instead. Sligo however were not to be beaten and O’Dowd-Hill got the first hand to the lineout feeding replacement scrum half Brendan Cunningham whose pass to Butler was the final one of day. Butler kicked the ball to touch and Sligo were celebrating.
Sligo now face Sundays Well in Strandhill in the final game of regular league action next Saturday at 2.30 before travelling east to Stradbrook to face Blackrock. While not yet confirmed, the playoff match is likely to be fixed for Easter Saturday April 20th.
Sligo: Niall Gray, Calum Goddard, Jack Keegan, Mark Butler, Philip Carter, Euan Brown, Ryan Feehily, Kuba Wojtkowicz, Shane O’Hehir, Tom Gormely, Rob Holian, Ciaran Cassidy, Diarmuid O’Dowd-Hill, Sean Wynne, Matt Davey. Reps Conor Mitchell, James O’Hehir, Jason East, Enda Gavin, Brendan Cunningham.
