U16 Update

This year the U16s have entered two teams in the Connacht league, one in the ‘A’ League and one in the development league. Sligo lead the ‘A’ league with wins over Castlebar and Ballina while we had mixed fortunes in the Development league.

Sligo U16’s versus Loughrea

First up was an away trip against a strong physical Loughrea side, Sligo performed heroically and with three new players and three U15s included in the squad we were narrowly defeated in tough competitive contest.

Next up in development league was a home game against Balinrobe which was played in perfect conditions in strandhill. This was a tough physical challenge with no score for either side by half time.

Sligo dominated the second half and ran out easy winners with a final score of 24 to 5 with stand out performances by Louie Scott, Jamie Reynolds, Stephen Doyle and newcomer Cillian Mcmeekin.

J1A: Sligo v Ballina

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Sligo 2nd XV 19 – Ballina 1st XV 27

After their epic rise to the top of the league last year, Sligo 2nd XV found themselves back in Division J1A.

With Ballina having won this league last year, but failing to be promoted, this meant that the age-old rivalry between the two clubs would be renewed this year.

Last Saturday saw the long-awaited clash in Hamilton Park. A large crowd had gathered and the excitement was palpable.

The Ballina side proved to be the stronger on the day, with many handling areas plaguing the home team. However, a strong second-half performance , with tries from Andrew Blannin (2) and Shane McGuiness brought Sligo within 8points of the opposition. Full back Niall Gray converted two out of three, with swirling winds proving difficult to slot the ball home.

The return match will prove an interesting affair, with a determined Sligo looking to exact revenge and take the points from Ballina on their home turf.

UBL: Sligo topple table toppers

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Sligo RFC 52 – Omagh Accies 15

Sligo jumped back to the top of the Ulster Bank League Division 2C with an 8 try to 3 demolition of previous league leaders Omagh Accies at a well attended Hamilton park on Saturday.
Sligo’s all action high tempo game proved too much for an Omagh side that were unbeaten in the league prior to their visit to Strandhill.

On a calm but damp Strandhill afternoon Omagh kicked off towards the Knocknarea end and enjoyed the lions share of the possession for the opening exchanges. Sligo defended stoutly with flanker Diarmuid O’Dowd Hill setting the tone leading the defence with a huge tackle count ensuring that the Sligo line remained intact. Continue reading →

U13: Sligo Represent Connacht in Top Four

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On Saturday morning Sligo’s U13 had an early start travelling to UL Bohs for the annual Pat Lawler tournament in Limerick. On arriving they found out who their opposition were in the group stages. They were in a group with Cork Con, Garryowen and local Connacht rivals Corinthians. Cork con were up first and whatever cobwebs the Sligo lads might have had were well and truly dusted down once the whistle blew to start the game. To a man they played brilliant with all of the squad getting a run out. They won their 1st match 8 tries to nil. Continue reading →

U15: Good day at the office for Sligo

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Sligo 41 – Castlebar 33

Another must win for the U15s saw them matched with Castlebar. Two late tries from Castlebar who exposed a tired Sligo due to the work rate had shown distorted the score somewhat but this was a great game for both teams.

Sligo in charge at the breakdown

An unsettled start was followed by quiet confidence led by Captain Ewan Ripon and Pack Leader Leo Layden. This saw Sligo ahead on half time with hard work on the breakdown by Liam Candon and Conor Mullaney. Conal Kennedy and Oisin Diffley need special mention for their work rate and forward drive during this period. Unfortunately Eoin Ryan took an injury at this time and was taken off.

The second half saw replacements Callum Murrin and Roarke McQuaid make their mark in the wing and front row. Scrum half Niall O’Connor made it count with Out half Finn Underwood. Oisin Cregg, Ciaran Dolan and Charlie Kennedy worked hard tackling everything in their way with a concerted effort backed by a team who are coming into their own under Head Coach John Martin with James O’Hehir and Mark Rooney.

Well done ALL – the opposition, referee Mr James Galvin and the hosting committee who organised food and treats post match. Thank you. And last but not least thanks to team photographer John Kennedy.

U16: Sligo take home the spoils

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Ballina 13 – Sligo 22

Jim Davies on his way to scoring Sligo’s third try

Sligo U16s travelled to Attymass on Saturday last to play Ballina in the Connacht A League. On another glorious day for rugby Ballina began the stronger and dominated the first half leading 8 to 3 going in at half time.

Sligo eventually started to compete in the second half scoring two tries by scrum half Cathal Feely and prop Damian Cullen, both converted by Daire Cregg. Ballina responded with another try but missed the conversion. Sligo’s full back Jim Davies then went over for Sligo’s third try with a well worked sequence of play started with a turnover by winger Louie Scott. The game finished with a well deserved victory for the Sligo boys with a final score of 13 to 22.

Next up for Sligo is a home game against Creggs and an away game against Loughrea in the development league.

J2: Seagulls show character in defeat

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On a blustery day at Hamilton Park, the Sligo 3XV, Seagulls kicked off their first league game in over 30 years at home against Connemara.

Connemara came down with a strong team including a few former Connacht academy players. Playing against a hard wind in the first half Sligo struggled the conditions and their temperament.

Bosco Harte, playing scrum half, releases his back line for another attack

Connemara raced into a 32-7 lead by half time, with a Sean Donnelly try being the Gulls only highlight of the first half. At half time, captain Terrance O’Connor and manager Podge Johnson, spoke honestly and tried to reinstall believe into the Seagulls.

In the second half, the Gulls came out fighting, in more ways than one! They had 2 men sent to the sin-bin and 1 man harshly sent off. This only seemed to reinvigorate the Sligo men. With the clock against them, they chased the game with swashbuckling style, running from every angle on the pitch.

At the full-time whistle, the brave Sligo men got the score back to a respectable 46-33 in Connamera’s favour. Manager Podge Johnson was very positive despite the defeat, saying if the gulls could start a game as they finished it, they would be a force to be reckoned with in the this division. Try scorers on the day were Sean Donnelly, Stuart O’Brien (2), Darren Harte and Jean de Roquefeuil.

Sligo Seagulls (3XV) team:
1. Patrick Saba
2. Vincent Reyenlds
3. Christope Perrot
4. Terrance O’Connor (c)
5. Dermot Kiely
6. Jordan Sexton
7. Peter Walople
8. Sean Donnelly
9. Frankie Feeney
10. Stuart O’Brien
11. Aron O’Donnell
12. Julian Ripon
13. Henri Liot de Nortbécourt
14. Wayne O’Hara
15. Jean de Roquefeuil

Michael Healy
James Tansey
Nathanel Boulot
Darren Harte
Joe Callaghan
Amin Shiek
Jack Gormley

UBL: Honours even in Limerick

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Bruff RFC 20 – Sligo RFC 20

Sligo’s unbeaten run in the Ulster Bank League division 2c continued with a hard fought draw with Bruff RFC at Kilballyowen Park on Saturday. Sligo now sit in second place in the table a single point behind current leaders Omagh Accies who travel to Strandhill next Saturday.
In calm conditions ideal for open running rugby Sligo kicked off and tried to set camp in Bruff territory. Defences were on top in the early stages with both sides struggling to make the first breakthrough. Continue reading →

U16: Sligo v Castlebar

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Sligo U16s began their season on Sunday last in sunny Strandhill against Castlebar. Sligo were looking forward to the challenge with a strong squad of 26 players. Unfortunately Castlebar arrived with a reduced numbers but it was decided to go ahead with the game.

Castlebar started well breaking through the Sligo defense on a few occasions but failed to capitalize. Sligo eventually began to get in to their rhythm with Jim Davies scoring a superb try which was converted by Daire Cregg. This was followed by another well worked try scored and converted by Cregg.

Castlebar continued to push eventually scoring an excellent try by Patrick Dixon.
The second half started off well for Sligo with man of the match Josh Cronin scoring another try for the home side.

The game finished with a resounding victory for Sligo with a final score of 33 to 15.
Next up for Sligo A side is Creggs at home while the development team are away to Loughrea.

Squad :
Damien Cullen Vega, Callum Wall, Patryk Badowski, Danny Funke, Matthew O’Hara, Jake McNiffe, Cathal Feely, Robert Reynolds, James Davis, Jack Carroll, Josh Cronin, Louis Scott, Jamie Reynolds, Michael Dáire Cregg, Marc O’Hehir, Patrick Dixon, Stephen Doyle, Gavin McGrath, Michael Broaders, Fintan Casey, Finn Young, Ronan Elliott, Cillian McMeekin, Garry Melly

Sligo Seagulls Take Flight

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Sligo 3rd XV wrapped up pre-season in flying fashion with a 62-5 demolition of Carrick-on-Shannon RFC.

The seagulls have now won 3 from 3 in pre-season, scoring an impressive 144 points and are eagerly awaiting the start of the J2 season. This will be the first time in over 30 years that Sligo will have a 3rd XV in league competition.

Try scorers on the day were Stuart O’Brien with 4, Henri Liot de Nortbécourt and Jean de Roquefeuil with 2 each, Sean Donnelly and Mark Harte with 1 apiece. Try scorers took the conversion with Sean Donnelly being the exception, letting the evergreen Jamie Bowes live out a dream of taking a kick. Notable mention to David Cummins, who sportingly helped Carrick when they lost a man through injury to play on with them and scored Carricks try.

Move of the day belonged to a deadly combination of Stuart O’Brien with a quick taking cross-field kick to Mark Harte, who raced home to score a fantastic try on his debut, to rapturous applause from the home support.

Sligo 3rd XV kick off their season at home in Hamilton Park on Sunday 1st October to Connemara RFC.

The Sligo Seagulls (3XV) team-
1. Patrick Saba
2. Vincent Reynolds
3. Christophe Perrett
4. Jordan Sexton
5. Terrance O’Connor
6. Peter Walpole
7. Podge Johnson (c)
8. Sean Donnelly
9. Stuart O’Brien
10. Andrew Blannin
11. Aaron O’Donnell
12. Jamie Bowes
13. Henri Liot de Nortbécourt
14. Brian O’Donnell
15. Jean de Roquefeuil

Bench
16. Michael Healy
17. Colin McNulty
18. Eoin McMahon
19. Mark Harte
20. Joe Callaghan
21. Wayne O’Hara
22. David Cummins