Buccaneers’ late show denies Sligo provincial silverware
Athlone outfit’s try in added time scuppers Sligo’s determined effort to reclaim Connacht Senior League
Connacht Senior League
Connacht Senior League Round Five
Buccaneers 21
Sligo 19
SLIGO RFC’s first XV are used to late drama, often winning games at the death, but when such a finish has to be endured then it’s a totally different story.
In the make-or-break game to decide the destination of this season’s first piece of silverware, the Connacht Senior League, Sligo had done almost everything right to the point of never trailing during the 80 minutes of normal time at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday last.
Even when hosts Buccaneers added seven points through a converted try after 76 minutes, to make it 19-16, Sligo looked odds-on to hold this advantage. But Sligo were denied the trophy and glory in added time as a second try from the homeside turned matters in their favour with a try from Danny Qualter with was the game’s last play. Sligo, on the brink of what would have been only the club’s second-ever Connacht Senior League title, were denied in such cruel fashion. When the game began, Sligo set out their stall – they
EFFORT: Sligo RFC’s Darragh Feehily,
scored a try against Buccaneers and also provided the assist for Finn Bamber’s try at Dubarry Park. had to avoid defeat in order to be crowned champions but Buccaneers just needed any sort of win, either by one point or 30, because of their superior score difference.
Sligo, facing opponents who will operate two tiers higher in this season’s Energia All-Ireland League, enthused their fans by scoring two well-worked first-half tries.
From a turnover, Sligo carried the ball well into Buccaneers territory. Scrumhalf Brendan Cunningham and centre Daire Byrne combined before Byrne’s offload sent winger Darragh Feehily through for a fine five-pointer. Euan Brown’s conversion extended Sligo’s early advantage.
Sligo’s defensive work was vital as Buccaneers sought to use their strong forwards.
The visitors attacked again and this time the move started with Calum Goddard racing upfield. Although stopped short of the line, the move was kept by Euan Brown, whose crossfield kick reached Darragh Feehily and he, in turn, provided a canny pass for Finn Bamber, who dotted down for his first try at this level.
A second conversion from Euan Brown increased Sligo’s lead to 14 points, 14-0.
Buccaneers, however, kept themselves within reach with a couple of penalties before half-time.
Sligo’s 14-6 interval lead was then trimmed to five points, 14-9, when Buccaneers kicked another penalty just minutes into the second-half.
A third try for Sligo came in the 55th minute. It was all down to Euan Brown’s work, who initially won possession into his own ‘22’. He powered upfield, kicked into Buccaneers’ ‘22’ and regained possession after blocking an attempted clearance. Then he went across the line to cap a wonderful piece of ingenuity.
At 19-9, with a 10-point lead, Sligo had one hand on the trophy – but Buccaneers had other ideas.
Next up for Sligo is their Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B campaign which begins on Saturday week, October 1, with an away fixture against Belfast Harlequins. Meanwhile, Sligo RFC’s second XV host Loughrea’s first XV this coming Sunday in a Curley Cup Pool ‘A’ fixture (Hamilton Park, 2.30pm).
Sligo lost to Carrick-on-Shannon RFC in round one, 41-17, but were awarded a win from their scheduled round two encounter with Our Lady’s Boys Club (Galway).
Keash’s Donnacha Byrne, who has played for Sligo’s first XV, was in the Connacht Eagles starting XV for their clash with Munster ‘A’ at University of Limerick last Saturday. He started at blindside flanker.
Sligo town’s Hubert Gilvarry was among the nine replacements. Connacht Eagles won 26-7, having led 14-0 at half-time. Elsewhere, the Sligo RFC senior women’s team are due to play TuamOughterard this Sunday at Hamilton Park (12 noon start) in Pool ‘B’ of the Connacht Women’s Invitational Cup.
Sligo RFC first XV (v Buccaneers): Enda Gavin, Calum Goddard, Finn Bamber (1 try), Daire Byrne, Daragh Feehily (1 try), Euan Brown (1 try, 2 cons), Brendan Cunningham, Matthew Earley, Shane O’Hehir, Tom Gormley, Eoin Ryan, Craig Trimble, Kuba Wojtkowicz, James O’Hehir, Jason East (c)
Replacements: Benjamin Hynes, Jack Gormely, Brian West, Andrew Ward, Mark Rooney