Mannion ends coaching tenure with ‘the realisation of dreams’
SLIGO head coach Ross Mannion has described Saturday’s Ulster Bank 2C triumph as “the realisation of dreams”.
The Sligo town native will go down in history as the first ever to bring an All-Ireland League title to the Yeats County. He also played a key role in the club’s recent Connacht title win, the first time Sligo RFC captured the trophy in over a century.
Ross, who has just completed his third year at the helm at Hamilton Park, also revealed to the Sligo Champion that 2018 will also be his last.
The club’s venture into 2B will be overseen by Paddy Pearson, who had been in charge of Sligo’s development squad.
Speaking to the Sligo Champion following Saturday’s win over Thomond, Ross said the last few months have been a source of great personal and team pride.
He said: “You set the players goals and targets for the season and ask them to go and create something, a bit of history. You ask the players to believe in themselves and each other and to see the joy, the realisation of dreams out there on Saturday was incredible.”
Sligo were in charge of this game for large periods, something Ross says he did not expect.
“I thought it would have been a bit tighter because they’re a strong side.
“We had the superior points difference so to be 17 points up at half-time was great. They had a purple patch at the end of the first half and stepped it up in the second half but so did we. These boys have incredible character and that was needed in the second half.”
Sligo had lead the division going into the new year but stuttered slightly, before surrendering their pole position.
But Mannion has nothing but praise for his players who he says showed superior character to get the show back on the road.
“When you go through a period like that then doubt does creep in. You think ‘are we going to do this?’.
“But we went on a run of three games around February and that gave us huge confidence.”
Expectedly, Ross’ highlight isn’t just pinned on one moment or one day. But the accumulation of a hard fought season.
“It’s hard to nail down one moment”, he admits.
“But bringing two trophies back here, one for the fist time and one which hasn’t been won in 103 years, that’s something for this club to be proud of.
“We need to use this success as a foundation upon which to build. A lot of work has gone on and a lot of fundraising has taken place. There’s plans for further development, work on the clubhouse etc, so we need to push on on the back of that and keep being successful.”
Ross is also looking forward to seeing the team pit their wits next year against the likes of Wanderers and Skerries.
“It’ ll be challenging. You’re obviously playing against better teams but we’ve played against most of them the last few years so the lads will know what it’s all about. There’s certainly no walkovers in 2B.”
Looking back on his three years, Ross concludes: “When I came in, we set goals and it was all about avoiding relegation. We’ve progressed and I and everyone involved are very proud of that.”