Focus turns to U16 girls’ Connacht Cup semi-final

THE U14 Girls came up against tough opposition in the quarter final of the Connacht Plate last Saturday in Hamilton Park. THE Sligo team had depleted forces and had to call up four players from the U12s to be able to field a team.

U12 player Lara Clinch was outstanding throughout the match, putting in big tackles, some strong running and scoring a well-deserved try.

SISTERS Ellen and Laura Hunter played very well and were extremely tough in defence, with Ellen also scoring Sligo’s opening try.

SLIGO were much more aggressive in the second half with Lynn Barlow, Casey Sexton and Hannah Benjamin bringing a lot of aggression to the game. AILBHE O’ Rourke and Shauna Doherty were impressive on the wings proving troublesome for the Galwegians backs. GENNIE Griffith suffered through a bloody nose in the first half and her tackle rate was superb, stopping a lot of Galwegians forward play. CLAIRE Keegan was hooker and captain for the day and had a solid performance, showing why she regularly gets called up to the U16s squad. HOWEVER, the travelling Galwegians outfit proved too strong for a weakened Sligo team and clocked up too many tries in the first 20minutes of the game. ALTHOUGH the second half was dominated by the home side, the damage had already been done and the visitors were outright winners in the end. SLIGO U14 Girls: Aoibh Trainor, Casey Sexton, Lynn Barlow, Claire Keegan, Hannah Benjamin, Mimi Lee, Ailbhe O’ Rourke, Ellen hunter, Lauren hunter, Lara Clinch, Shauna Doherty, Gennie Griffith

ALL focus in girls’ rugby now turns to the U16 Girls who play their Connacht Cup Semi Final next Saturday against Portumna/ Loughrea.

THE Sligo girls are the only Division 2 team left in the Cup and they will have a tough encounter against the league runners-up from the top division.

THIS team is the first U16 Girls team from Sligo R.F.C. and they have already written themselves into the history books by getting to the league final, a credit to their dedicated coaches and managers.

SLIGO U18.5s travelled to Ballinrobe last Saturday to play the first round of the U18.5s Connacht Cup. UNFORTUNATELY, it was only on their arrival in Ballinrobe, that they were informed of the opposition’s inability to field a team and were awarded the match.

THIS means that the U18.5s will now have an away quarter final against Corinthians on March 3rd SLIGO U17s played a challenge match against local rivals Ballina R.F.C. in advance of the first round of the cup next weekend. SLIGO won the tough encounter with a score line of 38-24. THE U17s play the first round of the Connacht Cup against Corrib R.F.C. next Sunday at 12 in Hamilton Park.

FACILITIES Development Draw RAFFLE cards are in circulation among club members for the latest fundraiser to develop facilities in the club.

FIRST prize is an incredible oneweek holiday for four in a villa in Portugal.

TICKETS are priced at €2 each. The draw will take place in the Clubhouse on 23rd March after the Sligo V M.U. Barnhall All-Ireland League match.