Grammar meet Summerhill
THE usual chants, drums, banter and flags were to the fore on Wednesday afternoon as Sligo Grammar School and Summerhill College senior rugby teams met in the League.
As is the norm when such great rugby schools play in a local derby, each of them were hoping bragging rights would be theirs after 80 minutes of rugby in the cold winter sunshine.
Going into the game, Sligo Grammar had one win, one draw and 2 defeats under their belts, while Summerhill had yet to register a win.
It was the visitors who got off to the best possible start and were in front by 12-7 at the break but Sligo Grammar used their power and pace in the second half.
Out-half Hubert Gilvarry was having a big impact on the game, the number 10 scoring two conversions, 2 penalties and even a drop kick as Sligo Grammar finished convincing winners.
Both sides had to battle with 14 men each when 2 players were yellow carded in the early stages and it was good work from the Summerhill scrum that was increasing pressure on the Grammar.
Their efforts were awarded 22 minutes in when prop Damien Cullen powered over after good work from his teammates to secure the game’s first try for Summerhill, outhalf Adam Higgins duly converting to give them a 7-0 lead.
Summerhill continued pressurising and on 33 minutes went further in front after touching down in the corner, the difficult angle saw Higgins’ attempt go narrowly to the left and wide as the Grammar introduced Robin Weaver to the game.
Sligo Grammar needed to score before the break and that they did in style. A Grammar 5m scrum was edging narrowly close and they pushed over the line beside the posts, Gilvarry adding the extras.
Ten minutes in to the second half Summerhill were awarded a penalty but it went narrowly wide in what was a very close game.
Cullen was excellent driving forward for Summerhill while Sam Atumonyogo of the Grammar got deserved applause from the home support for a fantastic catch as both sides were looking to score.
The Grammar were beginning to exert more control and their perseverance paid off in the 65th minute when William Whelan got their 2nd try after fantastic hands from Matthew Earley.
It was an important kick for Gilvarry to put them into the lead for the first time, 14-12, one they never let go.
It was Sligo Grammar who were in control and after a Gilvarry penalty they were easing further ahead. Summerhill knew they needed to score but it was Gilvarry with a drop kick with 5 minutes to go and a penalty late on that meant Sligo Grammar are into the semi-finals.
They are due to play Garbally College on November 28th.
SLIGO GRAMMAR: M Harte, J Whelan, E Coyle, M O’Hara, T Anderson, L Codrye, F Staunton, B West, J Fleming, H Gilvarry, S Blackwell, M Earley, W Whelan, S Atumonyogo, S Feehily. Reps: R Weaver, I Ellision.
SUMMERHILL COLLEGE: T Moyles, J O’Carroll, D Cullen, S Cawley, C Cummins, M Broader, J Curran, D Byrne (C), D McElhinney, A Higgins, O Brennan, L Hogge, T Fox, B Reynolds, S Muldowney. Reps: S Keaney, J Davis.