SLIGOAILRESULTS
SET PIECE: Preparing for a scrum during last Saturday’s Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B fixture between Sligo and Rainey at Hamilton Park, Strandhill, with the familiar setting of Knocknarea Mountain in the background. Sligo won this game 17-13. Energia All-Ireland League
Division 2B – Round 18
Sligo Rugby Club
Rainey
who finished second from bottom (ninth) in Division 2A, with the Limerick club just about getting the better of Sligo 12 months ago – by a two-point margin – when they met in the play-offs.
Last Saturday’s game was one of the few fixtures locally to be played despite the weekend’s Storm Kathleen and the huge gusts certainly made it difficult for both teams, especially in terms of lineouts and conversion attempts.
Sligo had lost their previous fixture, a 32-20 away defeat to Dungannon that ended the Connacht Senior Cup winners’ six-game winning streak in the Energia All-Ireland League’s fourth tier.
The hosts, who were against the wind in the first-half, started as they meant to go on and a storming move downfield, after they collected a Rainey clearance, led to the first of their three first-half tries.
Euan Brown, Hubert Gilvarry, James O’Hehir and Daire Byrne were all involved, with Gilvarry especially prominent, and it was Brown’s pass that released scrumhalf Brendan Cunningham for a try.
Euan Brown’s kick for the additional two points was, understandably, held up by the wind.
Rainey kicked a penalty to get on the scoreboard and reduce Sligo’s lead. Rainey were using the wind as a weapon to gain territory and keep Sligo hemmed in and the home side
ENERGIA ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2B
Rainey 31, Sligo 33 (October 7) (W); Sligo 45, Dungannon 20 (October Sligo 14) (W); R3: Sligo 33, Wanderers 43 (October 21) (L); Instonians 52, 19 (November 4) (L); Sligo 31, Malahide 12 (November 11) (W); Dolphin 25, Sligo 24 (November 18) (L); R7: Sligo 21, Belfast Harlequins 20 (December 2) (W); Skerries 14, Sligo 14 (December 9) (D); Sligo 11, Galway Corinthians 14 (December 16) (L); Galway Corinthians 10, Sligo 7 (January 17, 12) (L); Sligo 29, Skerries 5 (January 20) (W); Belfast Harlequins
Sligo 25 (January 27) (W); Sligo 23, Dolphin 0 (February 10) (W);
2) Malahide 14, Sligo 30 (February 17) (W); Sligo 25, Instonians 24 (March
20 (W); Wanderers 19, Sligo 26 (March 23) (W); R17: Dungannon 32, Sligo (March 30) (L); R18: Sligo 17, Rainey 13 (April 6) (W).
RESULTS SEQUENCE: WWLLWLWDLLWWWWWWLW.
had to try to carry steadily to make inroads into Rainey’s half.
Sligo scored their second try after 20 minutes. Archie Maclean forced a turnover as Rainey tried to clear their lines and Hubert Gilvarry gobbled up the chance. A slick side-step from the winger opened the door for a stylish finish and this try was followed by Euan Brown’s conversion. Rainey responded with an unconverted try to keep themselves in the game, with just four points between the sides, 12-8.
Before half-time Sligo notched their third try. The winners’ powerful pack made it possible – they drove over the ball to regain possession from a Rainey scrum. Then the backs worked their magic – Brendan Cunningham set up Ethan Faitaua, who got close to the line and Hubert Gilvarry was in the right place to dot down for the second time.
Sligo were nine points clear, 17-8, and even though they were held scoreless in the second-half, with
Rainey adding a second
The number of wins achieved by Sligo Rugby Club from their 18 Division 2B games this season.
unconverted try, the home side had done enough in this battle against the wind and Rainey. Although they lost, Rainey earned a losing bonus point that ensures their Division 2B status for another year.
Euan Brown (1 con), Hubert Gilvarry (2 tries), Ethan Faitaua, Ryan Feehily, Philip Carter, Julian Leszczynski, Brendan Cunningham (1 try), Kuba Wojtkowicz, Matthew Earley (c), Tom Gormley, Archie Maclean, Gary Duffy, Daire Byrne, James O’Hehir, Ambrose Bamber Replacements: Eoghan Lang, Ciaran Cummins, Rob Tiernan, Brian West, Cathal Finneran
STANDINGS
P W 18 16 18 15 18 13 18 11 18 5 18 7 18 5 18 5 18 5 18 4
L F A Diff BP 2 814 356 458 19 3 534 294 240 15 5 619 373 246 17 6 433 366 67 13 11 366 431 -65 11 11 348 487 -139 7 13 397 518 -121 13 10 339 568 -229 5 13 347 625 -278 10 12 383 562 -179 9