Promotion is still possible
SLIGO DEVELOPMENT SIDE BALLYHAUNIS RFC 24 3
Last Sunday morning in Strandhill after heavy rain all night the possibility of a game of rugby looked bleak due to water presen on the pitch.
Sligo RFC’s Development side were due to face Ballyhaunis.
This game was where the league challengers meet a bottom- of- the- league team hungry for a win and the game was moved to The Grammar School pitch.
This was a generous gesture by Sligo Grammar school who have a great history in Sligo Rugby.
It was another must win game for the Sligo Development side who are now at the hard end of the season, where all match outcomes are critical for any team with promotion prospects.
Sligo see themselves as potential league winners this season.
Ballyhaunis kicked off into what turned out to be a surprisingly dry afternoon for most of the game but the kick didn’t make the full 10 metres but play was allowed to continue with Ballyhaunis attacking into the Sligo 25 metre area.
An early penalty awarded to Ballyhaunis went wide of the posts.
So Sligo kicked off and after good work by the Sligo pack led by Captain Michael Mcmorrow, Matt Davey scored a try on 11 minutes which was converted by Enda Gavin .
Sligo ahead by seven points to no score. The game was similar to the previous week in that a lot of errors were evident from both sides.
After 35 minutes and pressure inside the Ballyhaunis half, a quick ball from a ruck resulted in a fine try by Sean Mullin supported by Enda Gavin and Stewart O’Brien. The pressure continued in the Ballyhaunis half and a well worked move saw O’Brien touching down under the posts and it was easily converted by the sure footed Enda Gavin, Sligo were ahead by19- 0 at half time.
The Sligo team despite the scoreline were becoming increasingly frustrated with their own play because they were after the fourth try bonus point and the multiple stoppages were preventing the game from flowing.
On twenty minutes into the second half, Ballyhaunis were awarded a penalty which they converted putting it 19- 3 to Sligo.
Sligo returned into the Ballyhaunis half and moved the ball wide away from the scrappy arm wrestle which had dominated this game so far.
Sean Mullin scored a fine try which remained unconverted . 24- 3,
So with no further scores the game ended with Sligo gaining the win and an important bonus point.
This was a very scrappy affair but as Coach Burrows stated: “Sometimes you win ugly , but it’s a win, and we need to move onto next Sunday for the Corinthian league decider in Strandhill.”
SLIGO RFC: Aaron Tansey, Ross O’Boyle, James O’Hehir, Thomas Gormley, Jake Sexton , David Bergin, Dave Cawley, Michael Mcmorrow , Gary O’Hehir, Enda Gavin, Sean Mullin, Matt Davey, Clive Morris, Brian Mullen, Stewart O’Brien, Gary Conneely, Liam McElhinney, Dermot Kiely, Jack Gormley and Karl Vanrensburgh. AFTER a very strong performance from Sligo in the league semi- final against Claremorris, Sligo went into Saturday’s Connacht final with Ballinasloe full of confidence.
The game was fixed for Ballyhaunis and the Sligo supporters travelled in large numbers on what was perfect conditions for rugby. Ballinasloe started the stronger with multiple attacks but the Sligo defence were up for the challenge with some excellent play from the pack. After 14 minutes, Ballinasloe did manage to break the gain line to score their first try but failed to convert. Sligo responded with a well- worked try from Daire Cregg supported by Louie Scott, Cregg converted leaving the score at 7- 5 to Sligo.
Sligo attacked again but Ballinsloe intercepted the pass which was going to Rowan Ellioot and the Ballinasloe no 14 ran 50 metres to score his second try.
In the second half Ballinasloe applied a huge amount of pressure on the Sligo defence to score their third try leaving the score at 17 to 7.
For the next 20 minutes Sligo dominated scoring an excellent try by Daire Cregg which was converted by Jim Davies. With nine minutes to go Sligo were three behind and had the momentum.
Ballinasloe were beginning to tire, unfortunately a few mistakes by Sligo allowed Ballinsloe in for their fouth try leaving the final score at 22 to 14.
The Sligo squad performed brilliantly on the day against a very strong Ballinsloe side who have won the Connacht league final for the last three years with this group of payers.
Now that the League is over the Cup campaign begins with an away game against the winners of Loughrea V Tuam, A win will see Sligo come up against Ballinsloe in the second round in Strandhill.
SLIGO U15s: Damien Cullen, Ben Millar, Stephen Doyle, Michael Broaders, Danny Funke, Cathal Feely, Diarmuid Brennan, Calum Wall, Max King, Fintan Casey, Joseph Keaney, Louis Scott, Brian Marren, Dáire Cregg, Marc O’Hehir, Finn Young, Liam O’Kelly- Lynch, Matthew Blain, Matthew Moroney, Patrick Dixon, Patryk Badowski, Conor McDermott, Sean Hynes, Gavin McGrath, Colm Lang, Mark McGlynn, Matthew O’Hara, Jake McNiff, Sean Hynes, Jack Carroll.