Sligo 73 Corinthians 0

Sligo under 18s brought in the New Year in Style and last Sunday in Corinthian Park Sligo put one hand on the Connacht League Cup trophy following a very impressive 11 try demolition job on Corinthians. From Pat Hughes’s try in the 4th minute to Peter Laffeys try in the last minute Sligo simply outclassed their Galway rivals. Corinthians unfortunately were missing a few key players and Sligo did not get the close battle they were relishing. Despite this Sligo kept their focus and concentration and did not let their performance drop until the final whistle went.

If last the last league game against Galwegians was a forwards battle then this one defiantly was one for Sligo’s free flowing Backs. Testament to this was the fact that seven of the eleven tries were scored by the backs. Out half Niall Keneally had his best game of the season contributing 23 points, 18 from the boot and 5 from a wonderful Solo effort. Keneally was the architect for most of Sligo’s attacks and his distribution really had the Sligo backline buzzing. New addition to the back three Pat Hughes has helped bring Sligo’s backline to the next level and he finished the match with 2 tries. He was ably assisted by his two wingers Peter Laffey and Stephen Hargadon who constantly sought to counter attack and finished the game with a try apiece. Centres Nairn and Gleeson have been one of the main reasons of Sligo’s success this season as they are always stout in defence and have consistently carved open opposition backlines with both scoring in the victory over Corinthians.

Sligo welcomed back Irish Schools International Aaron Spring who recently was part of the Irish school boys side which had defeated Italy 18-15 . Spring welcomed himself back by scoring two fine tries both ran in from his own half. The Sligo Pack was led finely led by Coolaney captain Thomas Gormley who led by example throughout and whose ball carries constantly kept his Sligo team on the front foot. His front row partners of Craig Adams and Tadgh Power also put them selves about well and never took a step backwards. Sligos engine room of Peter Walpole and Michael Mc Morrow were both in inspired form scoring 2 tries and clearly benefitting from strict New Years Resolution Diets. Backrowers Spring and Mullaney both created havoc in the loose and were always first to the break down.

Next up Gavin Foley and Ross O Boyle’s Sligo side will play host to Buccaneers this Sunday in Hamilton Park and know that one more big performance will see them crowned as Champions of Connacht and will also see them bring home the first piece of silverware for Sligo in 2009.

Sligo: Hughes, Laffey, Gleeson, Nairn, Hargadon, Kenneally, Brady, Adams, Power, Gormley (C), McMorrow, Walpole, Spring, Mullaney

Subs: Scanlon , Henderson, Lynch,