Marguerite Collins RIP

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.

Alan Eakins (Blondie) RIP

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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.

FUNDRAISING AUCTION

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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 19^th May in the clubhouse.

MITCHELL & MULLIN MAKE CONNACHT DEBUTS

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Sligo's Conor Mitchell and Sean Mullin make their Connacht Junior debut — Sligo’s Conor Mitchell and Sean Mullin make their Connacht Junior debut

Sligo’s Conor Mitchell and Seán Mullin made their Connacht Junior team debut last weekend in the Junior Interprovincial Championship opener against Ulster. The visitors proved too strong for the boys in green and they came away with all 4 points, plus a try bonus point in their 20-36 win in Castlebar RFC. Connacht’s next game is away to Leinster on May 4^th.

VICTORY FOR U16/17 TOURING SIDE

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Congratulations to the U16/17 players, who travelled to Wales last weekend to take part in the Osprey Challenge Rugby Festival. Sligo won all their pool games, beating Boyne RFC in their final game to win the trophy. Many thanks to those who organised the tour and to the coaches who braved the trip with the 40 players.

Oisin Diffley accepts the Osprey Challenge Trophy on behalf of the Sligo RFC U16 & U17 touring side

EASTER RUGBY CAMP A GREAT SUCCESS

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Sligo RFC Easter Rugby Camp some of the juvenile section pictured with coaches Chris O’ Neill, Ross Mannion, Simon O’Malley and Colm McWeeney

Over 40 boys and girls, aged 6-16 and with all levels of rugby experience, took part in the TotalHealth SkillZone, one-day Connacht Rugby camp

Katelyn Benson and Ruth Flanagan, two of the many girls at the Easter Rugby camp last week
Words of advice from coach Colm Mc Weeney

The focus of the day was small sided games which were fun and fast flowing. The event was run by Ross Mannion, Chris O’Neill, Simon O’Malley and Colm McWeeney, all Connacht Rugby staff who are IRFU accredited coaches, involved in both the Regional and Interprovincial squads.

CONNACHT U17s ON TOUR

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Connacht U17s Eddie Coyle, Micheal Broaders and Daire Cregg, with Assistant Coach Gavin Foley

The Connacht Rugby U-17 squad recently returned from a two-match tour of North Wales as part of their development ahead of the summer programme. Based out of Colwyn Bay, the 30-man squad completed a five-day, multi-faceted trip which incorporated strength & conditioning, on-pitch training, video analysis, goal and values setting, pool and sea recovery sessions and challenge matches against Sale Sharks U-17s and Cheshire County U-17s. Sligo were well-represented with Micheal Broaders, Eddie Coyle and Daire Cregg, along with Connacht U17s Assistant Coach Gavin Foley.

SUMMER RUGBY CAMP 

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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.

VISITING TEAM FROM THE U.S.A.

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Sligo RFC hosted a visiting rugby team from Portland, Maine last week. Over 50 players and supporters were doing a tour of Ireland to celebrate their club’s 50th anniversary.

Sligo RFC & friends from Portland, Maine after a challenge game in Hamilton Park

They played against a combined Development, Gulls and U20s team in Hamilton Park and the home team showed them no mercy, running out 20-12 victors over their guests.

The team and their travelling support were given a warm Irish welcome in the clubhouse afterwards, with entertainment by Dean Mahon. Thanks to Ross O’Boyle, Niall Gray and to all those who organised the visit.

CONNACHT SCHOOLS XV FOR GILVARRY

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Congratulations to Hubert Gilvarry, from the Sligo Grammar School and Sligo RFC, who was chosen for the Connacht Schools XV of the Year. The top 15 were picked by a panel of judges for their performances in this season’s Schools Cup.

Hubert Gilvarry is selected on the Connacht Schools XV team

The team were formally presented with their jerseys and introduced to the Connacht crowd at half-time of the Guinness PRO14 clash with Cardiff Blues in the Sportsground.