A message from Sligo RFC President Jacqui Cunningham

I know, like myself, you are all disappointed at the abrupt end of our rugby season, especially due to such difficult and challenging circumstances for us all.

Last Saturday, April 18th, would have been our final AIL fixture against Galwegians at home in Hamilton Park. I had certainly hoped it would not have been my final game as President.

What a season we have had as a Club coming now in to our 130th anniversary year winning both the Connacht Senior League and Cup for the first time in our history.

Both definite, stand-out moments for me as President for our team to have achieved such successes.

Winning the Connacht Senior Cup led to an historic meeting with Cork Con, captained of course by a Sligo man Niall Kenneally and represented, as Vice President, by the one and only Donal Lenihan.

It certainly was a fantastic and proud day for our Club and team, led by co-captains Ryan Feehily and Shane O’Hehir, both on and off the pitch.

It has been a roller coaster season with some amazing and exciting rugby played by us and some heartbreak moments from last minute scores against us.

As you all know by now our Senior Coaching & Management Team of Paddy Pearson, Jason East, John Keegan and John Kane are finishing after two fantastic seasons at the helm.

I cannot express enough our gratitude to them all for their commitment and professionalism at the helm. They have given us two fantastic seasons that none of us will forget.

Thank you all so much, you will certainly be a hard act to follow.

We look forward to you joining the crew on the magic bus in the future as it will help bring down the to age profile!

I would like to congratulate the U15s on their Connacht League title and The Gulls, who will forever have the accolade of being the only team to finish the 2019/20 season.

I would like to thank everyone involved in our great Club; all of our players from the 21 teams, all of our Coaching & Management teams, all Committee members, all volunteers, all of our Club members from near and far and of course a special thanks to all the parents, partners and family members of our players/coaches for your support in enabling the commitment that they give to the Club.

A special thank you to our supporters who honestly are the best and the most-travelled of all the Clubs that we meet in the AIL.

It has been an honour and a privilege to have represented Sligo RFC as President this season.

I would personally like to thank all who have supported me during this time, this support was very much appreciated.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the role of President and wish every success to in-coming President Niall Gray.

Finally, I look forward to the eventual start of rugby again for Sligo and all around our great country.

We have all missed it, but have especially missed the camaraderie that comes from it.

I look forward to meeting you all again when we get through this.

Keep safe and well.

Kind Regards,

Jacqui Cunningham, President Sligo R.F.C. 2019/20