Sligo face huge Thomond test

LAST weekend’s 34-32 win away to Malahide has Sligo RFC in prime position to earn automatic promotion to Division 2B, but they face the biggest test of their season to get there.

Tomorrow at 2.30pm, Sligo host second-placed Thomond at Hamilton Park in the final league game of the season for both sides.

Before kick-off both teams have 51 points to their name, with the winning club guaranteed to climb up the rankings for next season.

Should the game end in a draw Sligo RFC will be promoted due to their superior points difference.

Defeat could see either team drop as far as fourth place in the standings, which would mean a promotion play-off with the ninth-placed team in 2B, rather than automatic promotion.

Nine tries were shared last week in North County Dublin, but Sligo RFC edged the win as they claimed five of them, while Mike Wells’ late drop goal sealed victory in a game that saw former Connacht backs Mata Fifita and Danie Poolman face off in the centres.

The news was not so positive for Corinthians who lost out 26-23 at home to Greystones, and now need a bonus-point win away to Queen’s and for Galwegians to lose and not claim a losing bonus at home to Cashel, to avoid automatic relegation.

Corinthians will at least face the fourth-placed 2B team in a relegation play-off.

But there was a super result in the round-robin play-offs as Ballina RFC got off to a winning start at home to Bandon RFC last weekend.

A 45-26 win was a great lift for the Mayo men, although they now face away trips to Ashbourne and Instonians, but one more win should keep them in the race to become senior.