Sligo RFC continued their build-up to the upcoming League season when they were invited to take part in the prestigious Navan High Kings Tournament last Saturday August 23rd. This was the first year the High King tournament involved full fifteen man teams, with six junior teams, Navan, Clogher Valley, Sligo, Clonmel, Cill Dara, and Ashbourne taking part. The teams were split into two groups of three and with a minimum of two games to be played on the day; it proved to be the first real test of Sligo’s rigorous pre-season fitness training.

Sligo’s first game of the event was against the hosts Navan. Navan play in the ultra-competitive Leinster Senior League Divison One, and provided a tough introduction for a Sligo side that are still in the early stages of their pre-season build up. From the outset it was a fiercely contested game with both teams’ defences to the fore. Sligo’s backline through Cathal Culhane and Mattie McIntosh tried hard to break through the Navan defence but with territory and possession equally divided, the sides went in at half-time scoreless. The second half was a hugely exciting affair with both teams desperately seeking the opening score that so often proves vital in these tight matches. Sligo’s performance upfront showed plenty of promise for the upcoming season by taking the game to their Navan counterparts, with captain Ross Mannion leading by example,ably assisted by the excellent James Wilson and Jamie Bowes. Both sides had chances, but with time running out and the game still 0-0 it was Navan who looked to have the chance to secure victory when they were awarded a very kickable penalty on the Sligo 22m line. However their out-half dragged his kick wide, and Sligo showed the benefits of their hard conditioning training by taking a quick drop-out and storming down the field to win a line-out 25m from the Navan line. Sligo’s line-out was superb all day, and from another clean take the pack mauled to within 10m of the Navan line before Sligo were awarded a penalty for Navan going offside. With only minutes remaining everyone expected a kick at goal including Navan, but the alert Mattie McIntosh took a quick tap and dashed over the Navan try line for a crucial match winning try. Kaka Machititze added the extra points with a fantastic conversion into the stiff breeze to give Sligo a hard fought 7-0 victory.

With very little time to recover from the first draining encounter, Sligo were straight back into action against the strong Clogher Valley team from Ulster. Clogher had also beaten the hosts in their opening encounter so this match would decide who would emerge as the winners of Group One and go onto contest the final. Doubts over whether the dramatic first game would have a weakening effect on Sligo were quickly dispelled as Sligo started the brighter, showing some excellent attacking skills in a very fast paced game. Some astute tactical kicking from out-half Kaka Machititze kept Clogher Valley pinned back, frustrating the Ulster side into giving up two early penalties. Both were expertly converted by Machititze giving Sligo an early 6-0 lead. Clogher tried to respond quickly and moved downfield to camp in Sligo territory, relentlessly attacking the Sligo goal-line. Sligo’s defence was again superb with big hits driving back the Ulstermen, and the pack again matching the hugely physical Clogher eight drive for drive, with Adrian McHale and Martin Feeney prominent. Sligo desperately tried to hold on to take a half-time lead, but in injury-time, Sligo’s line was finally breached for the first time in the tournament after a 120 minutes of rugby with Clogher going over for a try which was then converted to leave Sligo trailing 7-6 at the interval. The second half started badly for Sligo with minor injuries forcing off the excellent Kaka, Julian Rippon, and Cathal Culhane, who had been instrumental in Sligo’s fine defensive efforts. Clogher took advantage and managed to get an early score to extend their lead to 14-6. To Sligo’s credit they made use of their entire squad and battled back bravely as they tried to save their tournament. Clogher’s defence was not easily broken though, and despite having a few half chances Sligo were unable to turn their hard work into points on the board. In injury time with Sligo still seeking a game-saving score, Clogher broke away for a try which gave the final score a generous 21-6 win for the Ulstermen who unsurprisingly went onto win the tournament.

The tournament was a great confidence booster for Sligo, and showed how the players efforts at pre-season training are really starting to take effect. Sligo coach Joe Walsh would have been happy with the side’s defence which was the highlight of Sligo’s play in the tournament with all the defensive drills at training starting to pay off. The two games gave Sligo a chance to give their whole squad a run-out, and this bigger squad will be vital in the grueling League season upcoming. Sligo will continue their pre-season preparations in two weeks with a friendly game against Leinster League stalwarts Barnhall in two weeks time which will give all players another chance to impress as competition for starting places continues to intensify.

Sligo Squad For Navan High Kings Tournament: Ross Mannion(c), Stewart Dorrin, James Wilson, Jamie Bowles, Robb Dyne, Dermot Kiely, Julian Rippon, Trevor Sweeney, Ross O’Boyle, Kaka Machititze, Mattie McIntosh, Andy Williams, Gary Connolly, Martin Feeney, Cathal Culhane, Colin Gorman, Ralf Lucey, John Heint, Nick Ryan, Steve Ivers, and Adrian McHale.