Sligo 20 Creggs 3

A clinical performance from a determined Sligo side saw them battle to a 20-3 victory over Creggs on Sunday last, in the Heineken Connacht Junior Cup preliminary round. Although the final score-line might suggest a comfortable Sligo victory, the winners were made to work hard for their victory, and it took two tries in the last five minutes from speedy wingers, Brian Hynes and Ted Mulvaney, to put a more flattering look on the final score.

Sligo coach Joe Walsh gambled with his team selection by resting some key players with Peter Mullan, James Wilson, Martin Feeney, Cathal Culhane, and captain Ross Mannion all being left out of the starting fifteen as Walsh looked to shuffle his pack with one eye on his side’s two upcoming, vital league games. Gary Conneely, Daragh Cox, Andy Williams, and David Greene all came into the pack while dynamic flanker Joe Sweeney also returned to the first team after his surprise omission from the team that drew with Monivea. This game was originally scheduled for last weekend, but adverse weather conditions had seen the game postponed. Sligo had already been victorious in Creggs this season in the league although they were given a scare before recording a 10-3 victory and would be looking for a repeat of that performance.

With Creggs in danger of being relegated from Division 1 A of the Connacht League, the cup afforded them their only opportunity of salvaging some glory from a disappointing season. However, despite a disastrous start, when they conceded two tries in the opening four minutes, they offered stiff resistance from the end of the first quarter, but despite territorial dominance, rarely threatened the Sligo try line.
Sligo’s pack dominated in the early exchanges, and the away side had a stunning start with two tries on the board by the 4th minute, leaving the home side looking shell-shocked. Sligo’s star full-back, David Gerrity opened the scoring with a try after only two minutes; amazingly this was the first try by a Sligo back since Paddy Pearson’s score against Castlebar on October 19th. This was swiftly followed by hard-hitting No.8 Matalae Fifita swatting aside some attempted tackles two minutes later to touch down for Sligo’s second score. It looked as if the floodgates would open, but that was as good as it got for Sligo until their closing double

Brian Hynes’ 75th minute try was well worked, and followed neat inter-passing between Sligo’s developing centre partnership of Andre Taurearewa and Andrew Feeney, before linking up with Gerrity who offloaded to Hynes to touch down. This was the Calry man’s first score of the campaign and cements his progress from the second team to become a first team regular this season. Flying winger Ted Mulvaney’s try was the last action of the day, and came completely against the run of play. Creggs were camped on Sligo’s line in search of a consolation try when they turned the ball over and the Kiwi Taurearewa passed to Mulvanney 10m from his own line and he showed amazing pace in the awful underfoot conditions, to outpace the Creggs cover and touch down to leave the final score 20-3.

Sligo were the more attacking side when the ball was moved wide as Creggs’ only attacking ploy was to launch a series of ‘garryowens’ at the Sligo back three. This played right into Sligo hands with Gerrity outstanding at full-back with his fielding and clearances to the fore as he gave a ‘man of the match’ performance. Both wingers, Mulvaney and Hynes, were excellent on the day with both deserving of their late scores. Andre Taurerewa was influential throughout and it is no coincidence that Sligo’s backline has looked most fluid and threatening with the New Zealander in the side and his distribution skills may prove key in Sligo’s upcoming league clashed. Upfront Sligo’s pack responded well to the changes made by Walsh, underlining the strength in depth that Sligo possess which will be tested to its limit with a hectic schedule of crucial games upcoming. Walsh will be content with the performance as the game will provide a much needed confidence boost to Sligo’s backline that had looked out of sorts in recent encounters but bounced back to form on Sunday. Sligo have another cup encounter against Ballyhaunis next weekend, and being red-hot favourites on paper they will expect another chance to open their play and produce a decent victory.

Sligo: D. Gerrity, T. Mulvaney, A. Feeney, A. Taurearewa, B. Hynes, G. Foley, W. Wilders, A. McHale, G. Conneally (c), D. Cox, J. Bowes, A. Williams, J. Sweeney, M. Fifita, D. Greene.
Subs: R Mannion (For Conneally) C. Culhane (for Sweeney.)

Creggs: J. McPhilbin, J. Hughes, C. Brandon, J. Coyle, B. Kilcommin, R. Kelly, G. Brennan, N. Glennon, P. Heavy (c), P. Coffey, K. Coyne, P. Turley, T. Fleming, M. Hestor, K. Brandon.
Subs: N. Flynn (for Hughes), J. Comiskey (for Glennon)