Sligo development squad claim bonus point win

Sligo’s development side kept up their promotion push in the Connacht Junior 1B League yesterday.

They claimed a bonus point win against Ballyhaunis at Sligo Grammar School, winning by 24 points to three.

Match report from sligorfc.ie

Last Sunday morning  in Strandhill after heavy rain all night   the possibility of a game of rugby looked bleak due to water present   on the pitch .

 Sligo RFC were due to  face Ballyhaunis  .This game was were the league challengers meet a bottom of the league team   hungry for a win so the game was moved to The Grammar School pitch . This was a generous gesture by Sligo Grammar school who have a great history in Sligo Rugby . 

This was another must win game  for the Sligo Development side who are now at the hard end of the season  , where all match outcomes are critical for any team with promotion prospects .Sligo see themselves as potential league winners . 

Ballyhaunis kicked off into what turned out to be a surprisingly  dry afternoon  for most of the game but  the kick didn't make the full 10 meters but play was allowed to continue with Ballyhaunis  attacking into the Sligo 25  meter area . An early  penalty awarded to Ballyhaunis  went wide of the posts   . So Sligo  kicked off and after good work by the Sligo pack  led by Captain Mcmorrow ,Matt Davey scored a try on 11 minutes converted by Enda Gavin . Sligo 7- o . The game was similar to the previous week  in that a lot of errors were evident from both sides . After 35 minutes and pressure inside the Ballyhaunis half  a quick ball  from a ruck resulted in a fine try by Sean Mullin  supported by Enda Gavin and Stewart Obrien . The pressure continued in the Ballyhaunis half and a well worked move saw Stewart obrien touching down under the posts and easily converted by the sure footed Enda Gavin 19-0  to Sligo at half time .

The Sligo team despite the score line were becoming increasingly frustrated with their own play because Sligo were after the fourth try bonus point  and the  multiple stoppages were preventing the game from flowing . 

On twenty minutes into the  second half , Ballyhaunis were awarded a penalty which they converted , 19-3 to Sligo . 

Sligo  returned into the Ballyhaunis half and moved the ball wide away from the scrappy arm wrestle which had dominated this game so far and Sean Mullin scored a fine try  which remained unconverted . 24-3, So with no further scores  the game ended with Sligo gaining the win and an important bonus point . This was a very scrappy affair but as Coach Burrows stated 'sometimes you win ugly , but it's a win , and we need move on to next Sunday for the Corinthian league decider in Strandhill. 

Team:  Aaron Tansey, Ross O'Boyle , James O'Hehir, Thomas Gormley, Jake Sexton , David Bergin, Dave Cawley, Michael McMorrow, Gary O'Hehir , Enda Gavin, Sean Mullin, Matt Davey, Clive Morriss, Brian Mullen, Stewart O'Brien ,Gary Conneely, Liam McElhiney, Dermot Kiely, Jack Gormley, Karl Vanrensburgh.

U15s narrowly beaten in Connacht Final

After a very strong performance from Sligo in the league semi against Claremorris Sligo went into Saturdays final full of confidence.

The game was fixed for Ballyhaunis and the Sligo Supporters travelled in large numbers on what was perfect conditions for rugby.

Ballinasloe started the stronger with multiple attacks but Sligo defence were up for the challenge with some excellent play from the pack.

After 14 mins Ballinasloe did manage to break the gain line to score their first try but fail to convert. Sligo responded with a well worked try from Daire Cregg supported by Louie Scott, Cregg converted leaving the score at 7 - 5 to Sligo. Sligo attacked again but Ballinsloe intercepted the pass which was going to Rowan Ellioot and the Ballinasloe no 14 ran 50 meters to score his second try.

In the second half Ballinasloe applied a huge amount of pressure on the Sligo defense to score their third try leaving the score at 17 to 7. For the 20 mins sligo dominated scoring a excellent try by Daire Cregg which was converted by Jim Davies, at 9 mins to go Sligo were 3 behind and had the momentum and Ballinasloe were beginning to tire, unfortunately a few mistakes by sligo allowed Ballinsloe in for their fouth try leaving the final score at 22 to 14. The sligo squad performed brilliantly on the day against a very strong Ballinsloe side who have won the Connacht league final for the last three years with this group of payers.

Now that the League is over the Cup compaign begins awith away game against the winners of Loughrea V Tuam ,a win will see Sligo come up against Ballinsloe in the second round in Strandhill.

Picture 1 shows Max King in action in the final

Picture 2 Jim Davies going fro try in the semi final win

Team :

Matthew O'Hara

Jake McNiff

Jack Carroll