This weekend saw all Sligo youth teams in action with some teams even playing twice over the weekend!
The major success story of the weekend was a superb performance by our unbeaten U18 side that travelled to Athlone on Sunday to face a much-vaunted Buccaneers side in their fiercest test so far. The first half was a tight affair with both sides trying to attack, but being stifled not only by the opposition but also the horrendous weather conditions. At one point the referee had to call both teams off the pitch due to a huge hail storm for over two minutes. Sligo’s forwards were superb, taking the game to their Buccaneers counterparts while Sligo’s backs defended heroically with the teams going in scoreless at the break.
The 2nd half continued in the same vein as the first with both sides showing great commitment in defence. However it was Sligo who produced the creative spark needed to break the deadlock when centre Chris Nairn went over midway through the half after a great team move before Niall Keneally added a crucial conversion. Buccaneers tried desperately to respond and a period of sustained pressure had the Sligo line under threat. Again Sligo defended heroically but the Buccaneers onslaught was too much and with ten minutes remaining the home team touched down to make it 5-7. The conversion was now crucial but it failed narrowly and Sligo carried a two point lead into the closing minutes. Buccaneers swarmed forward but this is a Sligo side who have shown great character as well as talent in their opening league encounters and with all fifteen players defending superbly they managed to hold on for a victory that will send a message throughout the province that this is a Sligo side going places. Everyone involved with the side was delighted with the huge commitment shown by the players, and if keeping up this hard work, this is a side that will be challenging for honours on all fronts.
Sunday also saw the U16s in action at away to Corinthians, looking to build on last week’s good win at home to Galwegians. Again this was a tight affair, and in the end home advantage proved crucial as a penalty in the last few minutes secured a 12-10 victory for the home side. Sligo will be disappointed at they played some great rugby on the day, scoring the only try of the game but this is a league where it is very hard to win away from home as there is very little between the top sides. Sligo are still right in the hunt for league honours and if continuing to perform to their capabilities should be able to bounce back strongly from this narrow defeat.
The U15s were certainly the busiest team of the weekend as on Saturday they travelled to watch Ireland’s lacklustre victory over Argentina, and on the way took in a game against Newbridge. This was a tough test for the Sligo lads as Leinster opposition always proves formidable but some good, solid rugby saw Sligo emerge with a victory. Then on the Sunday, it was straight back into league action with Sligo facing Ballinasloe. It was another close game in awful conditions but Sligo came away with the points with a hard-fought 10-5 victory.
The U14s also travelled to the Argentina game and again played a match on the way. They were faced with a huge challenge in Naas, meeting the reigning Leinster U14s champions. Sligo opened the scoring with an early try, and it wasn’t until the later stages that the Leinster lads experience showed and they pulled away to win. This was a great learning experience for the Sligo boys, and will have showed them that they will have nothing to fear from anyone in their own province this season.
Saturday saw the juvenile section in action in Ballina, where they competed in a mini-blitz taking on sides from Ballina, Castlebar, and Dunmore. A great day’s rugby was had by all, and the juvenile section continues to go from strength to strength.