Development team are League champs

SLIGO RFC Development Squad faced Loughrea in their final league game at home in Hamilton Park on a beautiful warm afternoon. Sligo, having lost only lost one game in 14, knew that beating Loughrea would see them crowned Jib Connacht Champions, A large crowd was there to support as a nervous air of hopeful expectation hung over the pitch. This was understandable as Loughrea had beaten Tuam, the only side Sligo had lost to, in a cup game,

Sligo RFC kicked off towards the Knocknarea end of the ground and as with every game this season the Sligo pack immediately put down an early marker by winning the first scrum in a powerful drive. This lead to a rolling maul involving Craig Adams, Ross O’Boyle, David Cawley and the bruising Thomas Gormley. When the maul crossed the Loughrea 5 metre line, Sean Mullin joined and went straight through the middle breaking the line to score a well earned try putting Sligo on the score board.

The next 10 minutes saw Sligo in complete control of the game with massive territorial and ball advantage, This time the well drilled backs moved the ball from left to right which involved Garry O’Hehir and Gavin Foley who offloaded the ball to set up Graham Kerr to sprint over the try line for the second score of the afternoon. This was duly converted by Enda Gavin who has been instrumental in many of the victories this season with his sure footed kicking.

Loughrea had no response to this aggressive style of running rugby and again on 15 minutes the Loughrea line was breached by a sniping run from Stuart O’Brien bringing the score to 17- 0 to Sligo

So far Loughrea’s only entry into the Sligo half was after a Sligo score but on this occasion they won a penalty in the Sligo 25 only to lose the line out due to Jake Sexton’s athleticism bringing the ball back to a now rampant squad. Matt Kavanagh broke out of the Sligo 25 making a great run into the Loughrea half where the ball was recycled at speed to finally give bulldozer Sean Mullin his second try of the afternoon, The score was now Sligo 22- 0. The first half ended with Sligo in attack mode with James O’Hehir made a dazzling run, stepping inside to set up a ruck leading to a try from Matt Kavanagh bringing the score to 27- 0 on the score board .

This first half display by the Sligo squad demonstrated the absolute power of every player on the pitch and their belief in each other which has been evident all season. The second half restarted with all the Sligo players now making power runs and after only 5 minutes Sean Mullin crossed the line for his 3rd try bringing the score to Sligo 32- 0. Coach Paddy Pearson used all his bench throughout the game bringing on Gary Conneely, Aaron Tansey, Clive Morris and Carl VanRensburg to maintain the tempo of the game. Throughout the season coach Pearson has constantly emphasised the importance of all 20 players. Now with no response from a demoralised Loughrea side further try’s followed from David Bergin, Matt Davey and a final try by Graham Kerr with the final score 51- 0.

The crowd erupted as the Sligo RFC Development Squad were crowned League Champions of Connacht J1b. Coaches Pearson and Roger Burrows were full of praise for their players and thanked them all for their commit- ment this season. Paddy said: “It was a historic day for themselves as many players during their sporting lives do not win anything. It’s not easy to win a league, it is also a great day for the club. Man- of- the- match went to Sean Mullin and Graham Kerr. The Cup was presented on behalf of the Connacht Branch and IRFU by Adrian Leddy to Captain Michael McMorrow who called up each player to receive their Connacht Medal. Mcmorrow then raised the the cup aloft and the party began. SLIGO RFC: Graham Kerr, Matt Kavanagh, Gavin Foley, Sean Mullin, Stuart O’Brien, Enda Gavin, Garry O’Hehir, Thomas Gormley, Ross O’Brien, Craig Adams, David Cawley, Michael McMorrow ( C), Jake Sexton, Matt Davey, David Bergin, Gary Conneely, James O’Hehir, Aaron Tansey, Carl van Rensburg.