‘We’ve waited 103 years and the lads have a great chance’
ALL roads lead to Hamilton Park this Saturday at 1:30pm for the Connacht Senior Cup Final between Sligo and Corinthians. It’s been a whopping 103 years since Sligo last won the Cup and this is also the first time Sligo has ever hosted the final, which makes it a momentous occasion in itself.
Sligo are sailing at the top of the Ulster Bank League and with only one defeat so far in the campaign, things are looking very positive this year for Ross Mannion’s men.
They played Corinthians, who are two division above Sligo, earlier in pre-season and defeated them but as Mannion says, Saturday will be a totally different affair.
He told the Sligo Champion: “The excitement in the club is really building ahead of Saturday, everyone is really looking forward to the game. Once we got the League out of the way on Saturday for Christmas we can concentrate fully on the Cup.
“It’s the first time Sligo has hosted the final, it came down to a draw between Galway and Sligo but in fairness to the members of our committee they put a lot of work into it.”
In terms of their opponents on Saturday, Sligo defeated them in pre-season but it’s all to play for said the Head Coach. “We did beat them quite well that time but they are two divisions above us at the same time.
“We are fairly hopeful and looking to follow through and put the 103 year wait to bed,” Mannion added.
The Head Coach said it was a long time coming for Sligo. “It is a considerable length of time but I suppose when you consider the number of years we weren’t playing at Senior level when we were playing Junior rugby that makes a difference too. “We have been in the final a number of times, the last was in 2012 when we were lost to Galwegians. In the last two and a half years we have really pushed on at Senior level and are a lot more ambitious. The players and coaches are very strong and the excitement ahead of Saturday is brilliant.
“There’s lots of whatsapp groups set up and the whole club is really looking forward to it. When I first started playing rugby and we were Junior then, there were lots of guys who would travel around the country supporting us. It’s escalated into a different thing now but if we win on Saturday it would be absolutely huge for the club.
“It would be a great way to finish the season and it’s been going very well for us, three points clear with only one defeat and two draws.
“Bangor fought hard on Saturday and we had a fantastic first half building up a great score but we gave away too much possession in the second half and they capitalised on that. Still it’s great to be three points clear. There’s a great depth to the panel and we’re looking forward to Saturday,” he added.
If we win on Saturday it will be absolutely huge for the club and its supporters