Momentum for a big test Sligo are on a winning run as they host Buccaneers in the Connacht Senior Cup decider this Saturday
SLIGO Rugby Club are preparing for what could be another major achievement. This progressive, ambitious yet always welcoming club take on Buccaneers in this Saturday’s Bank of Ireland Connacht Senior Cup final at Hamilton Park, Strandhill (2pm start).
The clash between this season’s Connacht Senior League winners and last season’s Connacht Senior Cup champions was meant to be held at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium (formerly The Sportsground).
But circumstances changed and so instead of returning to the scene of last year’s Connacht Senior Cup decider, where Buccaneers beat Sligo 15-8, the finalists were given the opportunity to host the encounter on their home pitch.
Sligo won the coin toss (held online) and so the famous Hamilton Park roar, with the equally famous backdrop of Knocknarea Mountain, will accompany the home side’s bid to regain a trophy last won in December of 2019.
Sligo won the provincial double in the 2019-20 season and, thanks to last September’s capture of the Connacht Senior League, they are on the cusp of what would be only the club’s second Connacht double at senior level.
A 49-17 hammering of Buccaneers in Strandhill clinched the latest Connacht Senior League but a much closer game is anticipated this Saturday, especially with Buccaneers being an Energia All-Ireland Division 1B outfit. But they’ve lost 12 of their 15 games so far, winning three times, in a tier that is two levels above Sligo’s Division 2B.
Sligo, in contrast, have made the play-offs, are currently on a fivegame winning streak and only last
The number of times that Sligo Rugby have been crowned Connacht Senior Cup champions.
Saturday they toppled Division 2B giants Instonians at Hamilton Park. This is the kind of momentum that could a long way when the going gets tough against Buccaneers. Sligo Rugby Club president Rory
Raftery is looking forward to what should be a tremendous day for a club that is continuing to make strides in terms of developing its facilities, maintaining its underage structures and improving the pathways for its female players.
He was still buzzing about the one-point
STANDINGS
P W L F A Diff BP 15 14 1 663 294 369 15 15 12 3 534 303 231 14 15 12 3 454 219 235 13 15 9 5 370 302 68 12 15 5 10 353 413 -60 12 15 4 10 300 363 -63 10 15 4 8 294 455 -161 5 15 5 10 288 443 -155 4 15 4 11 261 547 -286 6 15 3 11 311 489 -178 7 SLIGO’S REMAINING GAMES: March 23 – Wanderers (a); March 30 –Dungannon (a); April 6 – Rainey (h). defeat of Instonians, a result that reverberated throughout the Energia All-Ireland League.
“The lads treated the Instonians game like any other and even though we lost to them in Belfast we had played well in the first-half of that game. We usually play well at home and we always get good support.”
“We’ve had some good wins recently – on the road and at home. We lost either side of Christmas to [Galway] Corinthians but we’ve had a good run since then.”
He continued: “Having the final at home is a superb opportunity for us. Last Saturday [against Instonians] was a special occcasion because beforehand we celebrated [Junior Cup] successes from the past and then the game was such a spectacle, a classic match that was played in great spirit by two excellent teams.”
His role as club president requires various duties and formalities but Raftery will be following every tackle and offload as he hopes for a Sligo win.
“We are lucky to have it all to look forward to again this Saturday. We’ve got great friends in Buccaneers and it will be nice to welcome them to Hamilton Park, Brendan Wilkinson is the Buccaneers president.”
“Women and friends of Sligo rugby, including past players, will be joining us for lunch.”
Raftery highlighted the effort of club volunteers, coaches, committee members and fans in keeping the wheel turning at Hamilton Park. This collective effort could be rewarded on Saturday.
“Every club is the same in terms of their need for volunteers – without them we wouldn’t be able to operate.
As Connacht Senior League winners, Sligo qualified automatically for the Connacht Senior Cup final, while Buccaneers were 27-15 winners over Galway Corinthians in January’s semi-final.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s Connacht Senior Cup final is preceded by the ‘mnásome’ lunch, which celebrates the outstanding and ongoing contribution of women to Sligo Rugby Club.